Water (H20) -- Making the Difference to Others

We are like water, aren’t we? We can be fluid, flexible when we have to be. But strong and destructive, too.” And something else, I think to myself. Like water, we mostly follow the path of least resistance.” ― Wally Lamb, We Are Water

Ever sat near “natural flowing water”? Not out of a faucet; but where Mother Nature intended for the water to be natural flowing. Try to listen to the trickling of a babbling brook, listen to it in the river, a stream, an ocean, and listen to it closely. 

Mankind can alter the course of the flowing water. Animals, like a beaver, may try to stop the flow with their homemade wooden dams. However, the water continues to flow and pushes against the forces, which seem to want to stop it. Water is the source of every living thing and material things. 

Water takes on many forms, like steam and ice. I am going to chase a rabbit for a moment and plug in something I learned a long time ago. Some have trouble understanding the Trinity and felt this was the best analogy to understanding the Creator by the following expressions: What is the chemistry make-up of water? H2O. What is the chemistry make up of steam? H2O. What is the chemistry make-up of ice? H2O. Therefore, water (H2O), steam (H2O), and ice (H2O) all stem from the same chemistry make-up of H2O, but H2O can take on different forms. Here is the analogy: God (water, H2O) is in everything and everywhere. Jesus (ice, H20) took on the solid form of man and was crucified for our sins. The Spirit (Steam, H20) has a burning desire in our hearts to walk in righteousness and provides the necessary energy to stand up for things that are right and to move in His accordance. Since we are made in His image, we are the Vapor (Fog) only here for a short time on this earth. 

Sorry, for chasing the rabbit. Now where was I? Oh yes, water the source of life. There are many different writings, which equate people to trees. In storms trees can be shredded, uprooted, stand firm, or broken. I’ve been in a Typhoon, when I lived in Japan and noticed trees weather storms differently. Proud upright trees are often fallen. Ever seen a Palm Tree? Its roots are different from other trees. The roots are shaped in a ball-like fashion and unlike other trees; their roots do not match the branches like other trees. 

I prefer not to equate humans to trees. Rather, since we are created in His image, then we are similar to water. We can be polluted by the world. We can become hardened by life’s cold harsh realities. We can be forced to be steam and burn those around us. We can be like rain drops refreshing and nurturing those around us. We are the vapor (James 4:14) and only here for a little while. 

Maya Angelou is quoted having said “people will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel”.  We are part of the living Water (John 7:38) that flows. We can make a difference in how people feel. 

The purpose of being water is to establish strong lasting relationships in order to help others feel good about themselves and about others. Ever been falsely accused of something; Then others judge you based off the one sided story and refuse to find out the rest of the truth? This exasperates the problem and doesn’t help believing in others. Judging can muddy the waters and it is like a beaver building a dam to hold back the water. 

If you spend time with others, you will learn what is important to them. If you empathize, then they know you care about them. If you invest in those who appear to be good investment, then they will do in return. Finally, we are to be the water that refreshes and not to make others feel as if they are failures simply because of mistakes, other people’s rumors, or false accusations without having a full understanding.  

I like Marcel Proust statement, “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Compare yourself to water, rather than a tree. Meaning, you can be a force of nature and move mountains with your faith. Water can also be stagnating if it isn’t moving. Are you moving yourself out of complacency and improving your life? 

Water can be held back, however, with determination it can be overflowing to reach its destination.

We all belong to the main source, H2O. Are we connecting ourselves to the Living Water that supplies us with every need?

I’ve been through many things in my life and even in the face of cancer; I will choose not to hold me back. Be the water source that can bring life to others where they are stagnate, muddy, just flowing in life or stuck behind a dam. There is a difference between the comparison of a tree and water. One maybe comforted in being planted (TREE) in one area, and the other maybe comforted in growing and making a difference in all that it comes into contact with it (WATER). 

By Faith (forging attitude in trusting Him)