To a people who dwell in an arid land, water represents the very essence of life. It is something not so abundant that it is taken for granted. Where water appears, life happens. Whether a spring, thunderstorm, river, lake, or even a well - water represents life. When Jesus says that springs of living water will well up within us, he is saying we will become a source of life to those around us.
If you have ever come upon a clear running stream on a hot summer's day you will likely recall the sudden desire to experience the water as it rushes by you. I remember driving through the mountains in California on an isolated highway during a vacation with my kids. We came upon a beautiful clear mountain river that began to run along the side of the highway. Just looking at that stream, a desire welled up within us to find a place to pull off the road and experience that river. We finally found a safe place to pull off the road and hiked down to the river bank. Finding a place where it widened and the current slowed a bit, we waded out into the river. Fed by the melting snow from the peaks, the water was ice cold. Although it was a hot day, we shivered as we splashed and swam in that crystal clear stream. Even our dogs joined in the fun. We eventually made our way back to our motor home, relaxed and refreshed by that water. When we remember our best vacation moments, we often talk about the joy of finding that unexpected river. Just seeing that river awakened a desire in us we weren't even aware of.
In the same way that the mountain river awakened a desire in me, the streams of life that Jesus intends to pour through us will awaken unconscious desires in this spiritually arid world. Just seeing that stream will cause a thirst to well up within them. Experiencing that water will bring life and healing.
