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Bottled water is now the second leading beverage in the U.S., surpassing beer, coffee and milk. Recently at the corporate office of a large local business, they made the announcement that they no longer will be offering bottled water to their employees during their business meetings. When confronted for the reason for the cut, the spokesman surprisingly said, “We will still offer our employees water, but it will be from the tap and not from a bottle. For after all…a lot of bottled water is just tap water in a bottle!”

I personally made the switch from drinking water straight from the faucet to bottled water a few years back when I encountered some health concerns. But after watching the nightly news last night I am not convinced that this is any safer. They said that after testing many sources of water, there were found traces of pharmaceutical drugs in these water sources. It was furthered explained that the filtration system that is in place at many of our treatment plants, do not have the capability to filter out these kinds of toxins. It makes a person wonder—is there anything safe to drink these days?

Even though I am confused to what is safe for me to drink at the physical level, I am grateful to know what is not only safe but very healthful for me to drink at the spiritual level. In the days of Jesus, He once came upon a town called Sarmaria where He met a Samaritan woman. This woman was considered uncleaned in the eyes of the Jews, so she was taken back when Jesus, a Jew, would give her the time of day. He begins the conversation by asking her for a drink. She is confused why a Jew would ask a Samaritan for a drink. Jesus than lays a heavy one on her when He says, “If you knew the gift of God and Who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and he would have given you living water.” He further explained that everyone who drinks the water from the well that they were standing at will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water He offers to us will never again be thirsty. (John 4:4-26)

Another part of the story that makes it even more interesting is that this Samaritan woman had a very rough past. In fact, Jesus lets her know that He knew that she was married 5 times before, and now she is living in sin with a 6th guy who is not even her husband. She knew immediately that He had to have been a prophet for who else would have this kind of information—except for a person sent from God. And then Jesus tells her He is not only a prophet but He is the Messiah.

Because of this lady’s testimony many others believed in Jesus as their Messiah also. (John 4:39-42) In spite of this lady's rough past, God used her to change her part of the world. Isn’t it amazing who God uses?

As I sit here today, I can’t help but ponder this thought. Many times I do not feel worthy to be used by God. In fact, I often say, “I’m only Norbert Melczak’s daughter”. However, I am beginning to understand that even though I am no one special, God still wants to use me to change my part of the world. All I have to do is be willing to accept His Word.

So life for me now is less than a struggle since I have accepted the truth of this matter. Yes, Jesus can even use Norbert Melczak’s daughter. It doesn’t make any sense to me, but does any part of Christianity really make sense?

And as I sit here today and ponder what is really in my drinking water, I know one source of water I do not have to worry about. That is the “living water”— Jesus. All of a sudden I am real thirsty. How about you? I pray that you will drink in all that Jesus is offering to you. And if you take him on his offer, you will never again be thirsty. How about taking in a big gulp of this living water? I know you will not be sorry.

No more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat.

The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them,

Will lead them to springs of Life

And God will wipe away every last tear from their eyes.

Revelation 7:16-17 (Msg)

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

What Are We to Do When Others Give Us A Rough Time?