The drought has made us acutely aware of our dependence on water and very grateful for recent rains. The Call to Worship in our Sunday morning services is thus deeply appealing. It gives us a vision of “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal” (Rev. 22:1).
To find crystal clear water, one has to travel to the river’s pristine source. Our cities pollute rivers. But, in God’s New Creation, the city centre is the source of life! The river flows “from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city” (22:2).
Our cities are known for crime. But the gates of the Heavenly City remain open because “nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful” (:21:27).
Revelation’s vision encourages us– God’s future is good. But, in associating pure water with city life, it also teaches us. Dirty water makes us sick and without water most of us will die within three days. Toxic relationships damage us and without God- centered relationships we lose our humanity.
That is why, in our series on Acts (“Adventures in Resurrection”) we see that God’s Spirit is always at work to build communities of faith. The one we see birthed on Sunday (by a river, coincidentally) would later become known as Paul’s “joy and crown” (Ph. 4:1).
God Bless, Sean