Water is Life

I made a goal this week to drink more water. If you knew me well, you would know that means any water consumption at all. Before you judge me, know that I already judge myself. There is nothing you could say that I haven't already scolded myself about. Habits are hard to break or begin. Every day since Monday I have drank at least 100 oz of water each day which to some of you that may not seem like a big deal but, to me, it is a pretty big deal. My daily fluid intake is mostly comprised of diet soda, McDonald's Diet Coke to be more specific. I also enjoy milk or chocolate milk from time to time, especially after a run. I heard from a trusted source ("J", my running friend who knows all. Haha!) that you should drink half of your body weight in ounces of water and add extra if you sweat a lot either from working or a workout. With this in mind, I'm on track but could probably add another bottle or two, depending on my activity level for the day.

I would like to report that I feel amazing, but I haven't really noticed any changes yet other than the fact that it does help keep my appetite in check which, in turn, helps lower my caloric intake. Sometimes it makes my belly so full that I almost feel like if I take another sip of water I'm going to throw up. However, I realize it has only been one week. I do plan to stick with it because I know that there are benefits to drinking water and it is one step, albeit a small step, toward making improvements in my nutrition. I am hoping less inflammation and less cramping in my legs and feet, along with continued appetite suppression are all benefits I will experience.

In John 4, we read about the story of when Jesus sat down by Jacob's well in a town called Sychar which was in Samaria. A Samaritan woman came to the well to get water and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." There are a lot of cultural factors that come into play by Jesus, a Jew, asking this of a woman from Samaria but I'm not getting into any of that. In John 4:10 (CSB), Jesus answered, "If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would ask him, and he would give you living water." The woman misses the symbolism and points out to Jesus the fact that he doesn't even have a bucket. Jesus tells her, "Everyone who drinks from the water [from the well] will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks form the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life." John 4:13-14 (CSB) He then calls out her sin and reveals to her that He is the Messiah. In John 7:37 (CSB), Jesus stood up and cried, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." 

If you find your desires in this life unable to be quenched, whether it's never enough time, never enough money, feeling hungry, feeling unloved, I urge you to be filled with Jesus. He is the only one that will fill your empty spaces as He is the missing peace (yes, I did intend to use that spelling and meaning). He is the "living water", symbolically, and He IS life!