Inspired by lyrics to “Water” by Daniel Nahmod:
“I’ve seen my share of struggle, when I thought that I knew best . . . And it always seems the hardest when I’ve made up my stubborn mind. Well, I’m changing my ways this time.
I wanna be like water, coming down a mountain into shadowy canyons, flowing from pool to stream. Wanna be like water, head uphill no more.
I am bound for the sea . . . . I’ll let nature take its course. No more thinking that I know where this river’s meant to go.
I have railed against the stars . . . . for the heartache that I’ve felt, but it always seems when I let go of expectation and regret, life has plenty of surprises for me yet. I wanna be like water.”
Responsive Reading for February 21
“People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River …. And this is what he proclaimed, ‘One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, he will baptize you with the holy Spirit’” (Mark 1:4)
I want to be like water, receptive to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
“It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved son with whom I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:5)
My mind is open and receptive to the guidance of God, who loves me and is pleased with me.
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there . . . . When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’
And Jesus said to her, ‘. . . my hour has not yet come,’ His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim” (John 2:1-7).
I want to be like water – ready for cleansing and infilling for a holy purpose.
“Then [Jesus] told them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves good wine first, and then . . . an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now’” (John 2:8-11).
I want to be like water – receptive and responsive for God’s most excellent surprises.