Streams of Living Water: Showing God's Love to Others

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, 'Streams of living water shall flow from within him'". John 7:38

According to John in the Bible, Jesus spoke these words referring to the Holy Spirit those who believe in him after his resurrection would receive. Jesus knew ahead of time the new church he was building would bring life into the world through Him.

Love is the Living Water

We believe God is Love. 1 John 4:8 states "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." We also believe in the Holy Trinity, that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all one being (Catholic Catechism pp. 64-65). Therefore, we can say that God is Love. We can come to Jesus to drink of His love. We can take that love into ourselves when we receive the Eucharist and drink His blood. By knowing and receiving Love, we can then go out into the world and share Love with others. This is the real meaning behind everything. This is the message God gave us, and the commandment Jesus left us with. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

When We Share Love, We are Bringing Life

How do we share God's love. That's easy, and yet so difficult. It starts within. First, we need to believe in the message above that Jesus gave to us. Only then, can we come to know true love. We can't share love if we don't know it ourselves. So, we need to deepen our faith and intimacy with Christ. Pray more. Ask God to show his love to you. You might be surprised at what he reveals to you. Read the Bible. They are the words of life. Listen for the quiet, still voice of God. The more you pray, the more you will come to know God and experience his love. Attend Mass and take the Eucharist. Go to confession and participate in the sacraments. This is how He opens us up to receive His love.

Once we have taken these first steps toward God, we can take a look around us and see those who need us to share God's love with them. They take many forms. It could be a family member or friend that is going trough a rough patch. Be there for them. Pray for them. Listen to them. Offer a hug. Help with a chore. It could be someone whom you have fallen away from due to an argument or difference of opinion. Reach out to them and attempt to reconcile. It could be a stray animal that comes up to you, or a hungry person holding up a sign for help.

Do you take part in a ministry, either through church or a volunteer program in your community? These are excellent opportunities to help many people and spread the love of God to others. Ministries are as varied as all of us.

There are crafting ministries such as quilt blankets, rosary making, or sewing clothes for those in need. There are teaching ministries, like bible studies, RCIA, and spiritual direction.

There are ministries of mercy, where you can visit the sick in the hospital, hang out with the elderly in nursing homes, participate in rehabilitative programs for prisoners or addicts.

There are service ministries where you cook and serve the hungry or poor, and advocate for social justice.

There are evangelical ministries for you to literally share God's message of love. This blog is one of those. You can talk about your faith journey with others. You can pray with them through intercessory prayer teams. You can go on mission trips to spread the love of God across the world.

Just take a look around, and you can find a way to get involved. Who knows, God might just use you as an instrument of his love and mercy.

Let the Living Water Flow

To get even more inspired, God gave us saints. Everyday people like you and me. The only difference between them and the rest of us, is that they intimately knew God's love. Knowing that love, they were called to share it with others around them. They made the world a better place because of that love. They are good examples for us to model our own lives after.

When we drink of the water of God's love, it allows the Holy Spirit to move through us, and bring life into the world. The apostles did many amazing things, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, running off demons, and so much more. Why? Because they believed in the message of love that Jesus brought to the world. They took that message of love to heart, and through them, the Holy Spirit brought life like living waters flowing from them. The people were starving for love and compassion as if in the dry desert. The Gospel was like a stream in the desert, everywhere that water of love touched, green life grew.

We may not be apostles or saints, but if we allow the God who is love into our hearts, the Holy Spirit can work through us too. God is limitless. He can do anything. And He works through us as his messengers of His love and mercy.

How will you share the living waters of God's love with those who need it?