July 1, 2015
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“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink.  He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water,’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  John 7: 37-39

(c) Bonnie Oden
(c) Bonnie Oden

This photograph captured the immensity of the scene.  It wasn’t the largesse of the river, trees, or mountains, but the vastness of the whole.  I reflected on how essential water is to the peoples who inhabit the earth and to the earth itself.    This scene represents POWER – strength, control, influence, energy and an authority which comes from the hands of a most loving God.    I understood it is a gift from God, through the creative hands and camera of one of His blessed children..

In the reading when Jesus proclaimed “if anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink.  Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.”  I concluded that Jesus’ reference to thirst was not limited to the concept of water, but to our desire, longing, hunger and yearning, to be in relationship with Him.

(c) 2015 Jan Benitz

About The Author:

My simple life… is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God lead me. I have been married to Greg for 27 years and we have three wonderful children. My simple life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God take control. I followed God’s call to begin seminary at Perkins School of Theology in January 2006. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God’s call. I began the Degree in the Art of Spiritual Direction at San Francisco Theological Seminary in January 2009. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and spent three amazing years in Pastoral Ministry at Highland Springs Senior Living in Dallas, TX. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. My passion is the Christian Spiritual Life. As a spiritual director and retreat leader, I am so blessed to hear how God is at work in the world. How is God at work in your life?

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