Big Island — Blog — Robert Smith Photography

Scenes like this cliff and arch called Holei Sea Arch in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park are a reminder of the power of water’s continued work.

These cliffs were formed an estimated 550 years ago with the flow of lava, and through the water’s continued work, this sea arch was formed out of the volcanic rock roughly 100 years ago. Even today you can see the effect that the water has had shaping and widening the arch compared to older photos.

In the same way that the waters around this cliff have steadily and consistently shaped and formed this arch, God is continually and steadily shaping and forming you towards the goal he has for your life.

Philippians 1:6 says: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Let this encourage you that in the same way that this water did not leave the cliffs, God does not leave us in life. He does not abandon us mid-project, but instead continues to guide us, and shape us, and direct us into the people he created us to be. God has a plan for your life, a wonderful, magnificent, beautiful plan, because you were made in His image. And he will continue to be with you to accomplish that goal.

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I have always loved the water. As a small boy I would play in water any chance I got. At the beach, in the pool, in the front yard with the hose, literally anywhere. Even as an adult I love water as a recreation location, and those of you who know me and my RTIC tumbler know that I love drinking water.

But the downside is that literally no matter how much I drink I will be thirsty again. That unfortunate reality is the basis of Jesus’ conversation with a woman at a well in Samaria 2000 years ago. If you don’t know the story go read it in John chapter 4

See in this story, Jesus offers her something we all want; water that satisfies our life-long thirst. But what drew this woman in is not actually what Jesus was offering. She wanted a literal beverage to take away thirst. Jesus tells her:

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:4)

Jesus offers a solution to our life of thirsting and striving after things we cant get. Jesus offers us the one thing we cant get on our own: Eternal life and forgiveness of our sins. See, we all have a ‘thirst’ problem in life. Not for water or a Gatorade, but for that thing we want. Maybe we thirst for success, or popularity, or recognition, or love and affection. Maybe we thirst for possessions or achievements, or excellence.

Whatever it is, it it will leave us thirsty. Drink from the well of success? Cool now you will thirst for connection or relationships. Drink from the well of achievement, thirst for relaxation.

If this feels like a broken cycle, its because it is. We were not designed to chase our tail, but instead to have a thirst for one thing that satisfies all of life. We were created to thirst after and desire God in our life. When we drink from the well of Jesus, we will never thirst again.

So where are you looking for water today?

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Photo Info⠀
1/1250s | f/5.0 | ISO 200 | 39mm | Canon 5D Mark IV | 24-70mm f/2.8L II

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