How Clean is the Water?

I have spent time in the Sahara Desert, where water is life and wells are treasures.

I remember standing by simple holes in the ground, with a rope and bucket, people and animals crowding in. There was no wall around the opening like the wells I’ve seen in Ireland. There, a stone wall protects the water; in the desert, everything is exposed. Sand is kicked in, water is spilled, mud forms around the edge and is trampled by donkeys and goats. The source underground is still good, but the water at the surface becomes cloudy and polluted.

Those wells can be a picture of our hearts.

Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John vii 38). He was speaking about the Holy Spirit living in those who believe in Him.

Deep inside, He has placed in me a well of living water. I know what it is when that river flows freely—when prayer is natural, worship is joyful, and sharing the gospel is a delight.

But like those desert wells, the “edges” of my life can subtly get muddied.

Over years in missions and ministry, sand has sometimes been kicked in: disappointments, criticism, weariness, unforgiveness, pride, hidden sin. The Spirit’s water within is still pure, but what others taste at the surface can become cloudy. I have had moments when I realised, “The problem is not the Source; it is what I have allowed around or into the well.”

Psalm 42 describes a thirst I know well: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” There have been seasons when, outwardly busy for God, inwardly I was dry and panting. I needed not more activity, but fresh, living water from God Himself.

Thinking of wells in Ireland helps me. There, strong walls are built around the opening—not to stop the water flowing, but to protect it from pollution.

In the same way, God has shown me that I need His protection around the well of my heart. His Word, His ways, His boundaries are like that wall. When I keep short accounts with Him, confess sin quickly, refuse bitterness, guard my eyes and ears, honour rest, and say no to corrupting influences, it is as if He is maintaining a wall around the well. The river is free to flow; the rubbish is kept out.

There have also been times when the LORD has pointed out where I let the wall crumble. I allowed resentment, fear, wrong habits, or unclean things to creep in. In those moments, He has called me to repent and let Him clean the well again. It can feel hard at times, but it is life-giving—for me and for those who come to drink.

We meet many spiritually thirsty people—like the deer in Psalm 42, though they may not know that for which they are longing.

When they come to me, what do they find? A muddy, open hole, or a God-protected well with clear, refreshing, life-giving water? My desire is that Jesus’ promise in John vii 38 is always true in me: that out of my innermost being would flow rivers of living water to others. May my life be a continual, clean, well-kept and fresh in this thirsty desert, where His Spirit can flow fully for His glory and the blessing of others!