ASLC Devotions-- Tuesday

Ezekiel 47:1
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.

Several years ago when I lived in Iowa I stopped to look at a church that struck me from the outside as interesting. In the middle of the narthex, or entering space, there was a fountain of water that then flowed under the wall of the sanctuary to a baptismal pool or font in the middle of their worship space. The worship space itself was built for worship to be "in the round" with the altar and preaching stand in the very middle with pews or seating all around. It was a stunning space, and not surprisingly I was incredibly taken with the idea of running water! In the building! Under the wall! Can you even imagine?! 

This great river that God shows to Ezekiel brings water to all people so that they might have life. The water brings life to the fish that swim in it and the plants and trees that draw from it and in turn bear fruit. The leaves of the trees will be for healing. This is a glorious vision. We don't have water that flows by mechanical pump in our space, but the baptismal water is no less moving, no less alive, no less life-giving. As you have been washed in these waters and brought your children to be washed in them, how do you keep the water flowing and moving? Having been watered by the Holy Spirit, how does your life become a witness to that Living Water that you have received in Christ? 

Peace,
Pastor Jenn

PS. Join us for worship Wednesday evening at 7:00; come at 6:00 for dinner. Dinner this week will be served in Heedum Hall on the lower level. See you there!