Awaiting Renewal: Let the Waters Flow
by Betty Tom
Isaiah 35: 6-7
“For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;
the
burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
The passage from the prophet Isaiah speaks of a day when God
will redeem God’s people from exile and bring them home again to Mt. Zion.
Notice that not only will the people rejoice and be glad but the land will
rejoice as well! Dry land and wilderness will show signs of gladness, singing
and blossoming. Flowers will grow and refreshing waters will break forth in dry
places, and there will be streams of water in places that were once severely
dry and barren.
In July of 2015, I had the awesome opportunity to see a
portion of the wilderness land of Alaska and to see the mighty glaciers of
Tracy Arm a fjord near Juneau. As the cruise ship inched its way into the
fjord, I looked up into the mountains and to my surprise I saw streams of
flowing water gushing from the mountain! Never did I expect to see water
flowing so beautifully, peacefully, and freely in the Alaskan wilderness.
During this season of Advent, let us seek to allow the life-giving water of God
to flow freely in our lives and let us in turn care for earthly waters so that
they too, may continue to flow freely.
Prayer: God of Ever Flowing Streams,
Flow into our dry places and refresh us as we begin this season of advent. May
we be reminded of your great love and care for all humankind and may we go and
do likewise as we love and care for all the waters that cover the earth. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Betty Tom is the pastor with the First Presbyterian
Church, Mt. Vernon, NY. She has served with the Presbyterian Hunger Program Advisory Committee for the past three years.
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