Don’t Forget to Water!
Read: Ephesians 4:25-32
Reflect
When I first read this passage, I thought, “Okay, so where is the water in this passage?” Is this a trick passage or something? Earlier in the chapter there is mention of baptism, but these particular verses say nothing about water. Or do they?
As I pondered and read and thought about the passage and the purposes of water, I saw water demonstrated in a very real way. Water is used to revive, refresh and restore. Likewise, those are three purposes of the community life discussed here – to revive, refresh and restore.
In verse 29 we are commanded to “speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.” Just as water refreshes and revives a parched body, so the right words spoken at the right time revive and refresh my spirit. In verse 32 we are instructed to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” So, just as water is restorative, forgiveness offered and received restores broken relationships.
This refreshing, reviving, and restoring cannot occur within casual acquaintances, but can only be realized in a community where I am known, loved, and forgiven. Praise God for the community of Trinity Fellowship where this can and is happening daily! So, don’t forget to water!
Becky Hendricks
Respond
Pray for elder John Dupree, staff Cherry Hanes, deaconess Carol Ralston, and last names “R” and “S” in our church body.
