10 Sep Water is Life

WATER IS LIFE

1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2). Also, read Revelation 22: 1-3

Did you know that water is mentioned 722 times in the Bible? Water flows and rushes and gurgles through the pages of Scripture, literally framing the Biblical story. In the opening verses of the Bible, we read the story of water and creation. Even before Creation took place, the waters were there. Water is a primal element necessary for life. When we turn to the closing chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, we read the vision of re-creation in.

Here, in Rev. 22:1-3, at the heart of restored creation, we encounter the river of the water of life, flowing from the hand of God. The water is clear and clean. What a vision for our nations if we work together to clean our rivers and plant trees—for the healing of the nations! Imagine polluted rivers restored to life, safe green places filled with trees where families can walk safely. So what is God calling us to do?

Firstly, we must remember that water is sacred. We have lost the sense of sacredness in water, seeing it as a commodity that ‘comes out of a tap’. How can we reconnect with water as something sacred and precious? We became members of the body of

Christ through the sacred waters of baptism. Water is a sacred gift from God, and every Christian is called to be a steward of God’s creation – not just the full-time conservationists! We need to treasure it and make sure we use water carefully—turn off dripping taps, and check for leaks.

Secondly, we need to care for our oceans and rivers. Let water inspire and heal us. We must adopt and protect natural water source areas and help ensure we have examples of pristine habitats to leave as a legacy to our children and children’s children. Enormous quantities of garbage end up in rivers and oceans. The statistics on waste are shocking. By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans per weight than fish.

The best way we care for our oceans and rivers is to be passionate campaigners against waste. In the Diocese of Harare in Zimbabwe, each church has adopted an area where they clean up, whether a taxi rank or a street. They say the 4 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rejoice! Once they have cleaned up, they plant something beautiful in its place.

And thirdly, we need to fight climate change. In many parts of the world, rainfall is decreasing as the temperatures rise. In the horn of Africa, they are facing a fourth year with virtually no rain, the harvests have failed, and people are being forced off their unproductive land. Many children are so malnourished that they no longer go to school. As a global community, we can make a difference, but we need to prioritise the needs of our global neighbours. Without a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, the future of Africa is bleak, very bleak indeed.

prayer

Creator God, your dry lands are thirsty. Help us find a way to renew the Earth. Your rivers are choking with debris and pollution. Help us find a way to restore the living waters. Our hearts have become dry from selfishness and materialism. Help the tears of compassion to flow again so that we may act in response to the earth’s cry. Amen!

for further thought

What personal changes can you make in your life to treat water with more care, protect it and celebrate it?

Rachel Mash

Anglican Church of Southern Africa