These last few days have, happily, been a little cooler and, as much as we enjoyed the good weather it is nice when it’s not blisteringly hot. At least we are fortunate enough not to have too many problems posed by the hot weather; we have enough to drink, homes where we can shield ourselves from the heat and, we live in the countryside, at times like this we really profit from the green around us, which serves as a natural cooling mechanism. But for those less fortunate than us, the hot weather poses a serious problem; people without shelter and clean water suffer greatly when the weather is too hot.

Imagine going to a well on a daily basis, lowering your bucket into the well and then hauling up the clean water. Not only does it take immense strength, but it also needs courage, perseverance and faith. The strength to haul the water when it is finally found, the courage to go out in the first place, the perseverance to walk miles, and then stand in line to wait your turn and finally the faith that you will find water. Of course, the reward makes it worth it and ensures that people repeat this act every single day.

And so it is, with our faith – Jesus promises us that, in faith, we will never again be thirsty. But following in our Lord’s footsteps requires that we make this a daily act. Each day we turn to our Lord, and in faith He fills us with His spirit. We will need strength on the difficult days, courage to speak His word, perseverance when the journey seems long and, of course, faith in His love. But, if we fill ourselves with the water of His love, we know that His water, which quenches all problems, will protect and guide us forever.

John 4:14 (ESV) but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”