“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
It’s always been there, though I rarely give it any thought. That is, until it gives me a problem. But this week, as I was cleaning out the brush and trees that were growing around my house, I rediscovered the un-seeable. It had been covered up for so long I had completely forgotten it was even there. But seen or unseen, It was still there doing its job… drip, drip dripping away!
Most of us have experienced a clogged air conditioning drain-line. We rarely notice it otherwise. This very important pipe sticking out of the wall provides a channel for water condensation from the air handler in the attic. As the hot air is turned to cool, the vapor is converted into water and runs off outside. In Florida we have to keep them clean or they clog up and can cause big problems. Suddenly I had an idea!
Grabbing a bucket, I set it under the pipe then left. Returning later, I found the bucket full AND overflowing! Now it became a math calculation. How much water does my air conditioner produce in a day? I was about to find out.
My wife loves plants and she has LOTS of them. We have a hose we can use, but the water isn’t free. I had set up a barrel to catch rainwater running off the roof, but in the dry season the barrel is empty. Since plants need regular watering, I got a little excited to see a new source for the stuff. My math calculations concluded that, depending on temperature and humidity, I can get anywhere from 4-6 gallons of water a DAY from my air conditioner! I have a new hobby!
Preachers get pretty good at similes and metaphors. We use them to get points across. And this new source immediately reminded me of this verse today. I think you have already figured it out though. My spiritual life in Christ is like an AC drainpipe! He is ALWAYS there, rain or shine, pouring out His Spirit, through His Word, to provide real life to me. When I get hot, He can cool me. When thirsty, He gives me drink. BUT!!!!
It is really up to ME to make provisions for His provision. If I fail to notice, collect, or take advantage of His supply, HE isn’t the failure. I am! And if my life gets clogged with gunk and junk, It is up to ME to acknowledge and take measures to clean it up so He can continue to provide, and I can live.
I have up to 180 gallons of water a month to use for free! I have His, even MORE, abundant and eternal life available to me as well. Will I take advantage of the resource? Will you?
