Water

Jeremiah 2:4-13 (NRSV) Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? They did not say, "Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?" I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. Therefore once more I accuse you, says the LORD, and I accuse your children's children. Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.   The other night, Jimmy Carter was on the David Letterman show.  He has a new book, and one of the issues from the book and from his work that he was discussing was the "Guinea Worm."  This parasite infects those in many countries who have no access to clean drinking water.  The eggs of the worm live in stagnant - you might say dead! - water and when a person drinks, they become infected with the worm that within a year can grow to be 30 inches long inside of them. The topic of "living water" is still one that we struggle with today, both literally and metaphorically.  There are far too many people in the world without access to clean springs of flowing, living, life-giving water. And there are also ways in which we turn, as the Israelites, toward other forms of "life."  Other gods you might even say.  Gods we can control and see. The topic of life giving water has been prevalent this week - beginning Sunday with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus offered her life giving water from the source which here Jeremiah describes.  God has been offering life giving water for a long time. Water is something these days we probably take for granted.  And because of the ease in which we can get it, perhaps it is harder to see the metaphorical implications of life giving water.  But for so many in this world, water is a prize above all others.  For the Israelites it certainly was.  And yet, they still turned to other gods. God still offers us life giving water.  Offers us life.  And hopes we live fully to share it with others. In other texts God said it simply as this: "Choose life."  Can we share both God's living water and water that gives life? Gracious God you offer us the water of life and give us the good news.  Help us to drink fully from the cup of life and to share your life giving promises with others.  And Lord, let us not forget your children who need clean, fresh, life giving water and not rest until their thirst is quenched.  Amen.