When you order mineral water in a restaurant, the question asked by the waiter is usually: "Would you like your water with or without gas?" (i. e., carbonated or non-carbonated).

Water is essential for good health — and sustaining our life — as about 70% of our body weight is comprised of water.

We all know that the Bible compares the Holy Spirit to water. Just as physical water is essential for sustaining our physical life, the Holy Spirit implants the seed of eternal life in us (Ephesians 1:13-14).

When God offers us the Holy Spirit, He is not like the waiter in the restaurant asking us whether we want it with or without gas. The Holy Spirit is only available as living water: "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. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39).

There is no such thing as "non-carbonated" Holy Spirit. It moves, it flows from God to us, and it is to flow out from us as it motivates us and empowers us to act. It flows from us when we serve God, praising Him, worshipping Him, and it flows out from us toward our neighbor as we fulfill the 2nd of the 2 great commandments (Matthew 22:36-40).

If we don’t drink enough physical water to replenish the water our body needs, our health will suffer.

If the Holy Spirit is not flowing to and through us, our spiritual well-being will suffer – our attitude. If we notice this happening, we should ask: How much carbonated water flowed through us today?

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!