我帶領的事工團隊服事家中有幼兒的媽媽們。我和同工們試圖找一個貼切的形象，以描述這些媽媽面對孩子的無窮需求：換尿布、擦鼻涕、收玩具……。最後我們發現答案就在眼前：一個被吸得乾癟的果汁盒，或許，養育幼兒的媽媽們會感覺自己就像乾癟的果汁盒。我們的團隊希望帶領這些媽媽歸向耶穌這活水的源頭，為她們的生命注入活力！

約翰福音7章記載，耶穌到耶路撒冷去過住棚節（10節）。這個節期是紀念古以色列民在曠野漂流時，上帝對他們的供應。在此節期中有一個澆水儀式，象徵只有雨水滋潤才能帶來豐收，也預示彌賽亞將帶來屬靈的甘霖。耶穌實現了這古老節期所預示的一切。正如耶穌說：「人若渴了，可以到我這裡來喝。信我的人就如經上所說：『從他腹中要流出活水的江河來。』」（37-38節）

有時，我們會覺得自己就像是乾癟的空盒子。照顧他人、上班工作，或日常職責都會使我們精疲力盡，各種沒完沒了的要求簡直要把我們榨乾了！然而，當我們與上帝有親密的關係時，祂會在我們心中賜下活水泉源，使我們無論面對多少會讓人心靈枯竭的煩惱和憂慮，也能重新得到更新和力量。

When I led a ministry for moms of preschoolers, we hunted for an image to describe the unending demands that mothers experience. Changing diapers. Wiping noses. Picking up toys. It turns out the image was right in front of us: a disposable juice box collapsed in on itself. Moms can feel like empty juice boxes. That ministry served moms by leading them to the Source of living water that can fill them to the full—Jesus.

In John 7, Jesus went to the Festival of Tabernacles (v. 10), commemorating God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. This festival included a water-pouring rite symbolizing the fruitfulness that only moisture produces and foreshadowed the spiritual rain the Messiah would bring. Jesus fulfills what the ancient festival anticipated. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (vv. 37-38).

At times, we can feel like empty containers. Weary from caregiving. Worn from working. Exhausted by everyday responsibilities. The unending demands draw us dry! But when we live in relationship with God, He provides springs of living water within our hearts to refresh and refuel us no matter how many cares and concerns try to drain us.