Living Water

The front of the stage was lined with leaders ready to accept any young man or woman that needed prayer or encouragement.  I was standing at the front with my partner in ministry (Dave) praying that God would break the chains of bondage in these young people's lives.  I lifted my arms in worship and prayed that the grace of God would fall and as I did I was enveloped in the arms of a young woman who needed freedom.  I wrapped my arms around her and prayed that she would know how much she matters to God and that she could lay the guilt and shame of sin at the foot of the cross and receive the freedom and light that salvation brings.  I held her and cried as relief washed over us.  Then one after another I laid hands on these precious young women and prayed.  I watched so many teenagers lay down sin, guilt, shame, the stuff that doesn't fill that void, and come to the cross.  I found myself wondering, how am I allowed to be a part of this?  Why do I get to experience this Lord?  What a privilege to be in such an intimate part of someones life.

The weekend was called the Oasis.  God is living water.  The world is a desert.  We live in a dry deserted land with no rest and a constant thirst for more.  There are plenty of mirages, things that promise rest, good feelings, salvation, and many of us drink deeply of these things only to be left damaged and more burdened than when we first started.  The only true Oasis is the living water of God.  Salvation in the blood of the cross.  The power that is found in the name of Jesus.  I have been gulping up the water of Christ and continue to find freedom from the heavy burden of sin and this world.  What I wasn't prepared for was how moving it would be to watch these young people rip off the chains of sin and the dissapointment of the mirages and run to the well.  They drank deeply of the living water and it was intoxicating.

Parents that do not love, drugs that lose their high, relationships that hurt and do not heal, situations that no young person should face attack these young people on every front.  The accuser, satan, has painted a huge target on our children and youth and the only thing that can save them is the water of life.  A life found in the freedom that salvation brings.  Young people who previously thought that they mattered so little that they tried to end their own lives coming to the realization that they matter to a mighty and holy God who has great things planned for them. 

This weekend I watched God claim these young people for His kindom.  God is doing amazing things in this next generation.  He is raising up leaders who will lead others to the well to drink.  I was reminded over and over again that God's water quenches all desires and washes me clean.  It is refreshing and light.  It is freeing.  God is alive and active and in the business of changing lives.  I am so encouraged.  I was able to first hand taste and see that the Lord is good.  Have you drank deeply of the living water?

 John 4:11, 13-15
 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? "
"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.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”