When God communicates it is often through imagery with which we are already familiar – a divine favourite seems to be water, and specifically fountains, springs or rivers. The manifold allusions to these phenomena are employed by writers of Scripture to get our attention, and impart the sheer necessity of acknowledging God as our Source.

Emphasising  this St Bonaventure (1221-1274) wrote these stirring words, which are worth reflecting on:

“O indescribable beauty of the most high God … eternal fountain, clear and sweet stream flowing from a hidden spring, unseen by mortal eye! None can fathom your depths nor survey your boundaries, none can measure your breadth, nothing can sully your purity. From you flows the river which gladdens the city of God and makes us cry out with joy and thanksgiving in hymns of praise to you, for we know by our own experience that with you is the source of life, and in your light we see light.”

Well, perhaps his language appears rather ‘archaic’ but there is no doubting the beat of a worshipper’s heart, who has found satisfaction in drinking from the River which flows from heaven.

 This is spirit calling to spirit – deep calling to deep – moving beyond surface levels, and the shallowness, in which so many of us are content to live.

Regretfully, spirituality has been hijacked by the increasingly zany, and the highly questionable in modern times. It’s now possible, it appears, to be spiritual without any reference to the Living Source, or the Holy Spirit!  How mischievous is that idea.

It makes me wonder if that is what God laments when exclaiming through His prophet: “My people have committed a compound sin: they’ve walked out on me, the Fountain of fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns — cisterns that leak, cisterns that are no better than sieves.” Cited from The Message Bible.

TAKE A “SELAH MOMENT” … (a space to reflect, and receive in your heart the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit)……

……and moving on, I came across this beautiful image the other day, and couldn’t resist adding these lovely words, on the theme of fountains and springs – and how we may revel in the goodness of God’s life-giving Presence.  Enjoy, and be refreshed by, the visual stimulation if you will…

And there’s more … as I’m reminded of a very special  hymn – just click on the link below to enjoy a rendition by Dave Crowder’s Band:

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Methinks I can still hear Jesus calling out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Again, “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life, freely” … what an unbeatable offer !

This month I hope you will find true refreshment for your ‘inner being’.