Living Waters

In an effort to make friends in the neighbourhood we’ve recently moved into, my husband and I have been participating
in a community stream-cleaning group. There is a small stream (which could less generously be called a dribble) near our house, which had been polluted and full of rubbish until a group of locals decided to intervene about a decade ago.

They’ve been diligently removing rubbish and weeds from the area, planting native flax and grasses, and testing the water quality with other community groups. The stream now has chunky eels and kōkopu swimming around, and lots of tiny whitebait. As much as it’s been hard work to pull weeds and dig holes, it has been so joyful to slowly see the stream coming back to life.

The stream reminds me that in the wonder of Jesus’ resurrection, we know that we live in the reality of God’s kingdom both being with us now and not here yet. We see and experience beautiful examples of God’s goodness shining through, and at the same time know that our world is still damaged and awaiting redemption.

God is not finished with our world; He is not sitting back or waiting for it all to be over but patiently working to make all things new. In this I can hear the promise of the stream made whole someday: clear and fast-flowing and green with life. It is the promise that God restores the things He loves, and in the Garden of Eden, He called all of that beloved creation ‘very good’. And, in very good news, He extends His hand to us to work in the garden by His side.

So this is the promise I am holding on to: that one day in eternity I will look at the fully restored stream and be able to say I was a part of its restoration. And that fills me with more than enough hope and joy to keep going back
to pick up more rubbish.