If you never really have to think too hard about where your next drink of water is coming from, you’re better off than 1/3 of the people in the world. According to a 2019 UNICEF report, about 2.2 billion people do not have access to safely managed drinking water services. Staggering.
The problem in most situations, of course, is not that water is not available, but that the water cannot get safely to the people. No plumbing. No sanitation. No filtration. No infrastructure. No systems.
First, and perhaps more importantly, on a human level this is a tangible problem that must be addressed.
Second, on a metaphorical level this is a spiritual problem that must be addressed.
Jesus said that rivers of living water will flow from within those who believe in him. John explains that by this Jesus meant the Spirit of God.
But this eternal quenching of soul-thirst isn’t automatic. There must be infrastructure. We must each build systems of connection, sanitation, and access to this living water. This requires intentional construction and maintenance in how we live our lives.
