WATER
(Holy Wednesday)
Mom had a couple of days recently when she didn’t feel well. After a visit to the doctor and some medication, she seemed to be doing much better. She wasn’t, however, quite back to normal and was a bit unsteady on her feet. While checking in on her, I asked how she was feeling. Her response was one I’ve heard all my life. “Weak as water.”
I knew what she meant; she had no energy. Those who are weak as water are generally thought to be weak in the knees. A more direct understanding refers to those who are unable to stand and defend themselves. The saying actually goes back a couple thousand years to the writing of the Book of Ezekiel where that very expression is used. All these years, I never knew Mom was quoting scripture.
As I contemplate the saying, I find that I typically think of water as the opposite of weak. Even the trickling creek behind my house is a formidable and constant influence for change as it recreates the sand bars and eats away at the banks. Water is a force to be reckoned with and sometimes is a source of destruction.
Watching the news reports over the past two days and seeing my old Nashville stomping grounds flooded, I am reminded of how deadly rain water can be. Photojournalists capture the devastation as abandoned cars on Interstate 24 now show only their roofs. Homes are soaked with indoor water lines higher than the kitchen cabinets. As the waters recede, one photo reveals the top of a huge fire engine beginning to peek out above a lake-like street where it had been driven off the roadway and submerged. A vehicle in a Walmart parking lot became a boggy grave as the car owner was unable to escape the rising floods. An apartment complex was threatened by mudslide and numerous people had to be rescued from their homes.
Water determines its own path and goes where it will. It can move mountains and erode solid stone. An outside influence as simple as the temperature of the air can encourage swift and unpredictable change. Within minutes it can transform from a liquid to a solid – a cleansing rain might convert to a damaging hail storm. Add a concentrated heat source and water will completely alter the inside of an egg even as it reinvents itself into a vapor and floats away.
At the same time, water is a life-giving source. From nourishing the earth and all that grows to providing for the needs of humans, water is sustaining and necessary. Benefits span the depths of agriculture, industry and utilities. Water is needed to make paper and concrete. It can be cooled or boiled for scientific, pharmaceutical or medical use. It’s power creates electricity as it flows through dams or grinds wheat into flour by turning huge wheels and stones.
Most powerful, of course, is the use of water during the rite of baptism. As stated on our UM website: Water sustains life for humans, animals, and plants. We clean with warm water and relax in cool water. We find peace listening to the roar of the ocean or taking a stroll in the rain. Water is also important to our life in the church. In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, "we are initiated into Christ's holy church, …incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit." (see reference below) The influence of baptismal water is heart-changing, life-changing, powerful.
When Jesus sat with his disciples for what would be their last supper together, he told them what was coming and then turned to Judas. “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Not long after, Judas betrayed Jesus to the legal authorities putting into motion a plan to dam off from the world the source of living water. But the living water offered by Jesus goes where he wills it and is powerful enough to move mountains. Even the outside influence of Evil is not formidable enough to effect change.
As I enter into the final day of Lent, may I remember the flood of sacrifice Jesus made which transforms me, and may God be glorified by the swirl of faithfulness I’ve attempted.
Submerged in God’s love,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK
Almighty Father, who sent your only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sin, show me how I can honor you and bring glory to your name, by walking in the way of Jesus. Give me grace and mercy as I try and fail, guidance when I’m not sure which way to go, and wisdom to trust you in all things. For your love brings light and life to all who seek it. May I seek you evermore as I walk with you through this Holy Week and beyond. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 50 – It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 70 – Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
Hebrews 12 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…
John 13 – Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here…
https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
For more on baptism…
https://www.umc.org/en/content/renewing-waters-how-united-methodists-understand-baptism
(Holy Wednesday)
Mom had a couple of days recently when she didn’t feel well. After a visit to the doctor and some medication, she seemed to be doing much better. She wasn’t, however, quite back to normal and was a bit unsteady on her feet. While checking in on her, I asked how she was feeling. Her response was one I’ve heard all my life. “Weak as water.”
I knew what she meant; she had no energy. Those who are weak as water are generally thought to be weak in the knees. A more direct understanding refers to those who are unable to stand and defend themselves. The saying actually goes back a couple thousand years to the writing of the Book of Ezekiel where that very expression is used. All these years, I never knew Mom was quoting scripture.
As I contemplate the saying, I find that I typically think of water as the opposite of weak. Even the trickling creek behind my house is a formidable and constant influence for change as it recreates the sand bars and eats away at the banks. Water is a force to be reckoned with and sometimes is a source of destruction.
Watching the news reports over the past two days and seeing my old Nashville stomping grounds flooded, I am reminded of how deadly rain water can be. Photojournalists capture the devastation as abandoned cars on Interstate 24 now show only their roofs. Homes are soaked with indoor water lines higher than the kitchen cabinets. As the waters recede, one photo reveals the top of a huge fire engine beginning to peek out above a lake-like street where it had been driven off the roadway and submerged. A vehicle in a Walmart parking lot became a boggy grave as the car owner was unable to escape the rising floods. An apartment complex was threatened by mudslide and numerous people had to be rescued from their homes.
Water determines its own path and goes where it will. It can move mountains and erode solid stone. An outside influence as simple as the temperature of the air can encourage swift and unpredictable change. Within minutes it can transform from a liquid to a solid – a cleansing rain might convert to a damaging hail storm. Add a concentrated heat source and water will completely alter the inside of an egg even as it reinvents itself into a vapor and floats away.
At the same time, water is a life-giving source. From nourishing the earth and all that grows to providing for the needs of humans, water is sustaining and necessary. Benefits span the depths of agriculture, industry and utilities. Water is needed to make paper and concrete. It can be cooled or boiled for scientific, pharmaceutical or medical use. It’s power creates electricity as it flows through dams or grinds wheat into flour by turning huge wheels and stones.
Most powerful, of course, is the use of water during the rite of baptism. As stated on our UM website: Water sustains life for humans, animals, and plants. We clean with warm water and relax in cool water. We find peace listening to the roar of the ocean or taking a stroll in the rain. Water is also important to our life in the church. In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, "we are initiated into Christ's holy church, …incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit." (see reference below) The influence of baptismal water is heart-changing, life-changing, powerful.
When Jesus sat with his disciples for what would be their last supper together, he told them what was coming and then turned to Judas. “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Not long after, Judas betrayed Jesus to the legal authorities putting into motion a plan to dam off from the world the source of living water. But the living water offered by Jesus goes where he wills it and is powerful enough to move mountains. Even the outside influence of Evil is not formidable enough to effect change.
As I enter into the final day of Lent, may I remember the flood of sacrifice Jesus made which transforms me, and may God be glorified by the swirl of faithfulness I’ve attempted.
Submerged in God’s love,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK
Almighty Father, who sent your only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sin, show me how I can honor you and bring glory to your name, by walking in the way of Jesus. Give me grace and mercy as I try and fail, guidance when I’m not sure which way to go, and wisdom to trust you in all things. For your love brings light and life to all who seek it. May I seek you evermore as I walk with you through this Holy Week and beyond. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 50 – It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 70 – Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
Hebrews 12 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…
John 13 – Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here…
https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
For more on baptism…
https://www.umc.org/en/content/renewing-waters-how-united-methodists-understand-baptism