Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but 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 4:13-14
I never knew water had so many moods. Currently it appears to be feeling a bit schizophrenic – grey near the shore, blue on the horizon, murky in the transition between. Of course, water simply reflects the dance of the sun with the clouds. Perhaps it has some distinctive features of its own to offer in the timescale of its ripples? But then again, each oscillation is dictated by the current, moon and wind.
Even in a sea, the molecules don’t have much choice for themselves – which is how I always feel in the wake of my emotions. They ebb and flow, intensify, diminish. When they combine constructively like love and joy, or peace and patience, it’s like cresting a mountain peak where the limitless view prevents any sudden appearance of the unexpected. On the other side, however, is a deep trough of anger and shame, or fear and disappointment where it’s easy to get stuck at the bottom. It’s like losing a compass in the middle of a storm and thus all direction, reason, and hope.
Even in the stillness of a flat metastable state, water is only a mirror reflecting its surroundings. It has no face of its own, it cannot rise above the surface, or go against the tide. And yet, I have not recovered from observing the dynamic flashing of its brilliance, when water sparkled like a diamond. What has more value, is more beautiful, could be more symbolic of connection, belonging, and oneness than the hydrogen bonding between two species? It is unique. It cannot be replicated. It does not conform to any known theory or description. But more miraculous than water in its physical form, is the claim it could be even more. When you no longer need to seek satisfaction in a liquid, but find a spring to quench your thirsty soul.