Drinking deeply . . .

Rivers evoke dozens of memories. As a child, my dad took me fishing in a rowboat on the Bow in Alberta, Canada. We camped in the mountains besides gurgling streams of fresh, cold water. We’ve driven along the banks of the Columbia and other mighty rivers in the USA and lived near the Kenai in Alaska with its King Salmon and incredible scenery. I think also of rivers in several cities lined with ancient architecture like the Arno in Florence or the Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, as well as picture waterways polluted with mud and junk in many parts of the world.

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John is given a vision of a river much more important than any of these. It may not be actual but symbolic. Either way, who would not want to drink from it or take a swim!

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1–5)

The vision starts out with the river of the water of life, the trees that heal the nations, the purity of that place, and how it leads to the throne of God where those who serve Jesus Christ will worship Him. He replaces all sources of light with His brilliance and His people will reign with Him forever. I am enchanted by this vision.

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Jesus, I can imagine the river and its trees but I cannot imagine life without sin, lamps, or sunshine. I can only long for this remarkable promise to be fulfilled, to see Your face and never again experience sorrow or pain. This last book of the New Testament has increased my longing and filled my heart with joy and great anticipation. In the beginning, it said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) I have been blessed by reading how You hand over the kingdom to Your Father after destroying all other dominion, authority, and power, and blessed as You demonstrate for all time that You are King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- glad for today’s vision, a bright spot in the sadness of my sister’s struggles.

- calls from family expressing their concerns and somehow comforting us.

- getting a pile of envelopes in the mail.

- herbal tea.

- being flexible with our plans.