Living Water

by Shauna Brown

               

           A few years ago Rick and I spent a wonderful week on the Oregon sea coast.  Our condominium overlooked the water. I watched for hours, and witnessed ships of all sizes coming and going.  We walked upon the beach and gathered smooth rocks, and pebbles shaped by rolling tides. Starfish in all colors welcomed us to draw closer.   

        An old man walked upon the shore line, and with his  extended spoon, scooped up his pebbled, agate treasures. Listening to his enthusiastic description and infatuation with his daily discoveries, we too, filled our pockets full. 

          Travel always leads one to discovery. No matter where we have traveled we have been enriched by the surroundings, lessons learned, and the people planted within our path.  

        So walking upon the wooden board walks we set to learn all that we could. Boats, ships, heavy nets and crates dotted the sea coast. Some  ships were visibly freshly painted, while others displayed their age of work and rust. Hardy fishermen arrived and with bright eyes announced their fresh catch of the day.  I can almost smell it - fishy fresh. For moments I imagined what life would be like for me upon the blue expanse of ocean. 

        While set amid the laboratory of learning, I noted that hundreds of ships and cargo barges make their way to the Portland sea coast. Imagine it, there are twenty three ports . Everywhere it is easy to observe ships mooring and others setting out, embarking upon the ocean.   

        While seeking to learn more, we heard that ship captains perfer to port in Portland. Evidently as their ships travel the seas, a shellfish called a barnacle, fastens itself to the hull of the ship.  It has a rocklike shell and is difficult to remove. The barnacles attach themselves and welcome other barnacles to catch a ride. As more and more barnacles attach themselves, they increase the ship’s drag, slow its progress and decrease its efficiency. Because of this over growth, many ships have to go into dry dock and have the barnacles chipped and stripped away.  It is a costly procedure and very time consuming. Captains fear the loss of income.  Then it was discovered that if they take their ships to the fresh water coast of Portland the barnacles die and some fall away, while those that remain are easily removed. Thus, the ship returns to its task lightened and renewed.  

        I was fascinated that fresh water kills the barnacles, causing them to drop off. Fresh, living water.  The scriptures tell us that Christ is like unto the living water.  Those who seek him never thirst. 

        “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” :John 4:6–15 

         

            What are the barnacles that drag upon our soul? What is holding us back, hindering us 

and slowing our progress?  Can you see the wonderful parallel?  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the living water that is essential to lift our burdens, cast aside afflictions, carry us through deep waters and sustain us. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and his teachings (living water) are essential for each one of us.   

          We don’t need to go to the coast of Oregon to obtain the fresh, living water. We need to go humbly to our knees.  One by one we can cast our barnacles aside and start afresh. Isn’t that a miracle?    

Might we all enjoy a smooth sailing on this Sabbath day! 

Love Always,

Shauna