The River of Life

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal... (Revelation 22:1a)

There are times when the Good Lord gives me a picture in my mind, and from the picture, springs forth a story. This happens on occasion, enabling me to be a witness of some sort, to God's beauty and mystery. I always pray that the Holy Spirit will give me His words to depict what I see. When these visions occur, I find myself observing from a short distance away. I never see the face of the person in my mind, only their back. I think this helps me to write for you, allowing the reader to be the one in the story, unnamed and unidentified. Another person is always in the picture, besides the Believer, and that is the Lord Jesus. Please allow me to share this picture with you. I pray that your heart will be stirred...

I can hear the tranquil sound of water flowing, and it sounds like a babbling brook. In the distance, straight ahead, I see light dancing off of the surface of the bluest water my eyes have ever beheld. And even though I can hear it flowing, the water's surface appears smooth, without ripples. There, before me, is the most exquisite river I have ever lay eyes on. It is clear as crystal, and appears to be a bottomless reservoir.

There is silence, except for the rhythm of the water's mysterious cascade. I imagine it comes directly from God's sanctuary, descending from His holy throne.

My eyes see the back of a woman, as she is walking towards the river. Her pace is slow, and her steps are carefully taken. Yet I sense her heart is yearning and desiring to run. It is as if the water has a life of its own, because it bids and entices the woman to walk towards its grassy bank. When she reaches the edge of the river, she stands perfectly still, listening and observing. An uncanny warmth cascades over her head, touches every ounce of her body, and finally reaches the soles of her feet. Looking down, the woman expects to be standing on a sea of flames, yet she discovers the top of her feet are covered with the hem of a robe. The fine linen garment clothes her, and appears to be white and pure.

Feeling compelled to kneel at the water's edge, the woman feels the cool dirt on her knees. Leaning over, expecting to see her reflection in the water, she is astonished to see only her silhouette. No face; no identity; just the outline of her head and upper body. Her reflection reveals a depleted soul.

Feeling moved to drink of the sapphire blue water, she suddenly longs for a taste, and becomes extremely thirsty. With great haste, she cups her hands together, and immerses them into the river. She drinks timidly at first, yet with each dip of her hands, she craves more. The water is so satisfying, so refreshing, and so desirable to her. After some time, she leans on her hands and plunges her face into the water, gulping and drinking intently.

She is thirsting for the Living Water.

The more she drinks, the more she wants.

After drinking her fill, the woman stands, refreshed and full at last. As she turns to leave, she glances once more at the river, and her eyes rest on the reflection below her. Before she drank of this Living Water, her image on the water's smooth surface was just an empty silhouette. But now, after drinking deeply, zealous to be filled, she sees something different. This time, her reflection is like a mirror in the water, for the familiar image of her face stares back at her. However, her reflection is now radiant, and her eyes shine with joy. After drinking deeply, her cup has been filled, and her heart restored.

As I watched the Saint turn and walk away from the river, I knew she felt renewed in her relationship with Jesus. When she was timid to drink of the water, it had been a while since she last spent time in God's Word. She was “dehydrated” spiritually, and her soul was indeed thirsty. But as she began to fill herself with the Living Water, her relationship with God was quickly restored. I saw the Living Water as Jesus and the still river as the Word of God. As she spent the time filling herself with the water, or the Word of God, her spirit was renewed. She was rewarded for diligently spending the time at the water's edge, and her face revealed it.

The fine linen robe she wears represents her righteous act of seeking God. One day, all of God's children will wear this garment.

Only when she seeks God and His Word, does she feel restored. Her countenance changes as it reflects her heart. She comes empty, and she leaves filled.

Have you ever noticed; the more time you spend in God's Word, the more you crave it?

Jesus promises when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be filled.

Come to Jesus, the Living Water, and drink.

Come fill your heart with His perfect Word.

         Drinking Deeply,
         Alison