The water cascades down my back.

I open the refrigerator door and grab one of my many water bottles to quench my thirst.

I turn onto the gravel road where I drive to one of my fave spots in the world; to the Bible camp I worked at for seven summers; on the shores of Lake Sacakawea.

I pray for rains and water to come after my families fields have been planted.

Then I pray for those rains to come to nourish the land and help them grow.

“The poor and homeless are desperate for water, their tongues parched and no water to be found. But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them, and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.”–Isaiah 41:17 (The Message)

In this broken world, there are so many in need of water. They may not be in need of literal water, but they are indeed in need of something. Some are in need of unconditional love and acceptance. Others are in need of home and shelter. Yet others are in need of safe spaces to be fully who God created them to be. Will we be the oasis for all these people in need? Will we open the doors to them and let them come in? Will we provide the water these people so desperately need?

When I look around the world, I am restless; restless for God’s peace and justice to reign. Restless as I strain to hear those voices, like John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness. My restlessness motivates me to shower ALL Gods people with love; to remind everyone that they are all beloved children of God; no exceptions. Will you too let your restlessness motivate you too action? In the words of Lutheran musician Rachel Kurtz, “Will you let your life make a difference? Will you let your life make a change?”

The truth is that water nourishes. Water cleanses. Water quenches thirst. But, most of all, through the waters of baptism, water reminds us all of the promise that we are claimed as beloved children of God. For everything we do is grounded first and foremost in our call and claim as God’s beloved children.

In our identity, as God’s children, may we not be complacent. Instead may we let our restless move us to action and move us to rise up to trust in this holy one who will always provide us with what we need. In Jesus’ birth, the thirst of the world is quenched through Jesus’ birth as he cries out into the world as a megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

Let us hear his cries and provide water to all in need.