September 2026

“The Source” by Irene Colao

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)

My husband, Nick, a great outdoorsman, once shared a lesson with me as we hiked through upstate New York and came upon a natural spring flowing from the rocks.

He warned that when you come across a spring, you shouldn’t stop a few feet downstream to drink. Instead, you should follow the water all the way to its source. You should get down on your hands and knees and drink directly from where the water emerges from the earth.

I wondered what could possibly be the problem with the water farther downstream. He explained the water can become contaminated; even a short distance downstream can make a difference. For example, an animal could cross through it or parasites could enter it, making the water unsafe to drink. The purest, life-giving water is found at the source. 

I’ve often thought about how this reflects our spiritual lives. Like the spring, God is the source of living water. When we go directly to Him through His Word, prayer, and the presence of Jesus, we receive what is pure and life-giving. But when we rely only on secondhand opinions, distorted teachings, or influences that have drifted from the Source, we risk taking in what is spiritually unhealthy.

The closer we are to God, the clearer, purer, and more life-giving the water becomes.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise that those who come to You will never thirst again. Thank You for sending Jesus, the Living Water, who refreshes our souls and fills us with Your love, grace, and Spirit. Help us always return to You, the true source of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

—Irene Colao 

Ladies, would you join us for our upcoming Women’s Bible Study through the book of Hebrews, “Entering the Throne Room”? We cannot wait to grow in our relationship with Jesus, the  source of life and satisfier of souls, together with you. To register and for more information, visit women.ccob.org/bible-study.