Washed By The Water

Memories are a funny thing.  On one hand, I sometimes can’t remember a short list of things Greta asks of me just a day after she tells me (this does not frustrate her at all…NOT!); on the other hand, I have snippets of the most random moments from throughout my life that seemingly have no relevance or context.  One of these memories is about my Grandpa Al.  Talk about someone who impacted the lives of many, his reach has extended down through generations.

“Just tryin’ to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light”

Even though he left his physical body behind and trekked off to Heaven over 30 years ago in 1981, and I was only 12 years old at the time, there are memories of him that are burned into my being.  It is easy for me to understand why I remember some of them, like Grandpa Al sitting with my brother Andy and I, showing us how to sharpen a chain saw.  How cool is that?!?  Young boys would normally never get to hang around something so potentially dangerous as we might cut our leg off or something.  But Grandpa Al was about bringing experiences to his children, grandchildren and to all around him in up close and hands on ways.

Another memory of him I have does not posses this same clarity as to its importance.  It’s actually a memory of someone speaking about him. I can clearly remember the pastor of our church growing up, Rev. John Wolf, reflecting on Grandpa Al’s life after he had passed away.  He was talking about Grandpa Al’s connection with the Bible and his faith.  He spoke about a conversation where Grandpa Al said to him, “John, do you realize how important water is?”

That’s it. That’s the memory.  It is so seemingly insignificant, but I think of it often.  It’s as if Grandpa Al continues to ask me that question over and over again as it relates to my understanding of the world.

“Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water”

I feel like there are about a dozen more songs by NEEDTOBREATHE that I could write about.  Their music has a passion behind it that gives so much evidence, to me, that the Holy Spirit is flowing through and around us at all times.  It’s up to us if we decide to be inspired, drink, fill up our shells.  When we are still, we sense the Spirit around us and want the renewing it brings.  This song, “Washed By The Water” has a great gospel feel to it, but more importantly, it delivers the message of our opportunity to be continually renewed.  Our struggle is not one that keeps us constantly dirty; we can be cleansed of all the stuff that gets thrown at us, all of the mess we bring upon ourselves that dims our shine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuOs3x94Wos&feature=kp).

Today is Maundy Thursday.  Christians all over the world today will celebrate Jesus’ last meal with His disciples.  At this event, Jesus, who was God on earth in the form of a man, the King of all creation, the most high, kneeled and washed His friends’ feet in perfect humility.  The remembrance of Jesus’ act and our honoring of it in washing each others’ feet in our church service later this evening is one of my very favorite moments in our liturgical year.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’.  Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’  ‘No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.’  Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’
‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’ “ (John 13:3-9)

Here again, we see my man Peter trying to mess up some blessing that was coming his way.  We are all Peter.  I love how he recovers though, telling Jesus that he is not just needing his feet washed, but everything; Peter was an all-in sort of guy.

“Even when Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won't never ever let you down
I won't fall
I won't fall
I won't fall as long as you're around me”

Water and its symbolism appear throughout the Bible.  From Noah, to Moses to Jesus’ baptism, to the washing of feet, we see water as the way we move from one state of being to another.  What was the rest of conversation between Grandpa Al and Rev. Wolf?  Only they know.  But, this simple question has stayed with me my entire life.  I am always watching out for how water can impact us.

The message is this, if nothing else; no matter how dirty we get, we can always become clean.  The grime and grunge we drag ourselves through, no matter how thick or crusty it gets, God’s desire and ability to make us clean once again is more powerful than our mess.

“Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water”

So, if you have the opportunity today, think about water.  When watching those around you wash the feet of others, you wash someone’s feet, or have your own washed, remember the promise of being clean.  There is nothing we can do to not be refreshed and renewed by the Living Water that God pours over us.  When I feel beyond hope, there is hope.  I am washed by the water.