We can all recall observing the wide-eyed wonder of a young child as they view the world and discover all the amazing capabilities of their own bodies for the first time. Such occasions cause us to pause and turn back our awareness to the physical realities of nature including our own divinely assembled bodies and regain an appreciation for God’s creative power with all its beauty and splendor. As we reflect upon the physical, God also reveals spiritual truth as well. In this discussion I would like us to consider an aspect of God’s design that has been named water. Water not only affects us in our physical health, but has deep meaning for us in our spiritual life as well.
On the second day of creation recorded in Genesis 1:6ff, God spoke into existence an essential aspect of all life on earth – water! “Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” (vs 9) Then God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.”
Scientists inform us that 71.11% of the earth is covered by water. Only 1% of all water however, is “fresh water” and is used for drinking, transportation, heating, cooling, industry and many other purposes. Water is constantly in motion. It changes from solid (ice), to liquid, to gas. Water travels upward, forms into clouds, and then pours down again upon the earth. A single drop of water contains billions of molecules vital for sustaining life. Water travels over the grounds surface and fills lakes and rivers. It also moves downward thru openings in the soil to replenish the ground and all vegetation.
Water is not only needed upon the earth. By God’s glorious design, the human body is roughly 70% water. Amazingly, 83% of our blood, 70% of our brain, and 90% of our lungs contain life sustaining water that needs to be replenished daily. Our sister in Christ, Dr. Jana Fortner, has written about the critical importance of water in her excellent book entitled “7 Keys to Awesome Health. Dr. Fortner makes this profound statement: Water is an essential nutrient that is involved in every function of the body. It helps transport nutrients and waste products in an out of cells. It is necessary for digestive, absorptive, circulatory, and excretory functions…..your body cannot perform ANY of its vital functions without water.”
To be a healthy woman of God, hydration of the body is absolutely a non-negotiable. Every organ of our bodies is made up of millions of cells. If not given enough water they will shrivel up and cease to function and over time actually die leaving us vulnerable to pain and disease. How much should we drink? Experts say we need to drink half our body weight every day up to a maximum of 150 oz. for those who weigh near 300 Lbs. Dehydration has been recognized to be a major factor in every disease, especially cancer. Our bodies are thirsting, calling us to submit to the wondrous design of God. By giving ourselves what we need to have health and strength, we are expressing respect and gratitude for this wondrous creation in which we live – our bodies!
It has been rightly said that the natural often mirrors important teachings concerning the spiritual. Romans 1:24 bears this out saying:” For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they (we) are without excuse.” Our physical bodies teach us many things concerning the mind of God. Throughout all creation, we learn of God’s perfect plan and purpose, we see His power and wisdom everywhere, even within our own bodies! His presence is obvious and clearly displays our need for Him in all aspects of life.
We have briefly spoken concerning what scientists and professionals tell us about our physical need for water. What then does the Scripture teach us about the use of water with regards to our spiritual life? Plenty! Water is referenced 722 times in Scripture. Water is connected to healing, cleansing and the saving work of God. Let’s explore some Biblical teaching and be blessed by God’s amazing plan not only to sustain physical life but spiritual life through the use of water.
In the physical realm we all know that we lived within our mother’s womb within a sack of water. We were birthed physically thru water. Likewise, our spiritual life begins by being born again (immersed) in water. Also, as the physical body needs to eliminate toxins and waste which is accomplished thru the cleansing circulation of good hydration, so also the destruction and spiritual death of sin is cleansed from our hearts in the waters of baptism. As the human body utilizes water to destroy disease, so also baptism regenerates our spiritual wellness and raises us up in newness of life. “Therefore we were buried with Him (Jesus) through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4. Recorded in John 3:1ff, Jesus elaborates upon the essential nature of the rejuvenating process of cleansing through water without which a person would be unable to see the Kingdom of God. He states: “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” John 3:5
In John 4:5ff, we learn that the living water required for our new spiritual life is given to us by our Savior. This water has the power to transform us and meets our every spiritual need. This living water resides within our spiritual hearts and governs our thoughts and actions. It sustains our spiritual health. In contrast to our physical requirement for water which causes thirst, is sought after daily, and is reliant upon human effort, Jesus offers all those in Him an unending spiritual satisfaction that never ends. “Whoever drinks of this water (water in a well) will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become IN him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (vs 13-14) Jesus calls us to come to Him and drink. In John 7:37-38 our Lord cried out saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
The consumption of water requires a conscious effort and discipline on our part. The work of baptism however, is not our work. Rather it is the saving work of God! When we are cleansed of our sin in the watery grave of baptism, we are given a gift, the Holy Spirit. God now dwells within us! We are new every morning, we are restored, and empowered to do His will and to bear spiritual fruit for Him in our work and service on earth. Our participation in this remarkable blessing is to continue to nourish our life daily through the reading and doing of God’s Word. And what will be the outcome for us? Psalm 1:3 paints a glorious picture of the spiritual health of such a one saying: “He/she shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he/she does shall prosper.” A fruitful life is described in Galatians 5:22ff. Do we not desire to love, have joy, peace, the ability to deal with difficulties effectively, be kind, to do good and not harm, remain faithful, respond to others with gentleness and self- control? I sure do. The good news is that God has made a way for this to happen through the healing water of baptism into His Son!
Question, are you thirsty physically? The solution is simple. Give your body what it needs and it will reward you with health and the energy to live well. Are you thirsty spiritually? The solution is also simple. Spiritual life is found in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:26 reveals that Jesus has paid the price on the cross to provide what we need: “…that He (Jesus) might sanctify (purify) and cleanse her (the church) with the washing of water by the WORD.”
Daily consumption of God’s Holy Word will give us the strength and cleansing we need to be well in the Lord and enjoy the glorious life He has given us now, and forever. The health and love we experience as God’s holy women by responding to the Word of God, will motivate us to cherish and nourish our physical beings as well. May we all strive to be holy AND healthy woman of God!
By Laura Dayton