It’s 101∘ degrees outside (for the 26 straight day). That and several other things reminded me in recent days of water’s importance. (1) I was riding my bicycle this morning and saw a man with a hose watering his yard. I nearly stopped and asked for a drink, but my Camelback was still full. The man’s yard was green; his neighbor’s pale yellow. (2) Building a house in Lasara two weeks ago drained me and others. Heat problems plagued several who were working. You just couldn’t get enough fluids, even alternating between water and sports drinks.

I visited several stores before the KidsHeart trip looking for enhancements for water. One option is “Lifewater.” I found this description online: “SoBe Lifewater is a naturally flavored beverage that is . . . designed to help you live a healthier life.” I also noticed that Lifewater comes in 16 flavors, each focused on a specific health need. We need water for good health.

Biblical writers have used the body’s need for water to reveal spiritual truths. The psalmist wrote: “He leads me beside cool waters” (Psalm 23:2). Isaiah envisioned a time of God’s restoration and blessing and wrote: “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1).

I thought about asking the man with hose for a drink. I thought how similar that would be to Jesus asking a Samaritan woman for a drink. She could have provided water that would temporarily quench thirsty lips. Jesus, however, offered her living water that could transform her life. Later Jesus would declare to all in the temple: Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).