Images of New Life
In the Scriptures, a number of different images are used in order to describe new life. The majority of these images seem to involve water in some way. To begin with, there is always a dryness or a wilderness or a desert of some sort, and then the water brings new life.
In the Old Testament, some of the most striking images come from the prophets. Isaiah uses the image of water in the wilderness and “streams in the desert” to describe when God is going to come and heal his people (Is. 35:6). Ezekiel describes a valley full of bones that are “very dry” (Ezek. 37). God adds to these bones moisture and sinews and flesh and the breath of life, and the bones come to life once again.
The New Testament, as well, uses images that involve water. One of the most striking comes from the gospel of John, which describes the Holy Spirit as “rivers of living water” flowing from the hearts of believers (Jn. 7:37-39). What an image for new life! At the same time, we are given the image of a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying. That same grain, as it is watered and sprouts and grows, bears many more grains, bringing new life out of death (Jn. 12:24).
This connection of water with new life is not in the least surprising, given that water is needed by plants, animals and human beings in order to sustain life. Yet, as you can tell if you look outside these days, water alone will not bring life – especially if it is frozen!
For all those who are searching for warmth these days, the image of fire is also used to describe the Holy Spirit and the new life that God brings to our hearts. When the Spirit is
poured out at Pentecost, it looks like tongues of fire reaching out and touching each person who is present (Acts 2). At the same time, we read about the disciples who walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, with their hearts burning within them as he explains the Scriptures to them (Lk. 24:32).
These images – and others – can be refreshing for our souls at this time of year when many would like to take (at the very least) a mental holiday. Yet, I’m not just talking about imagining yourself on a beach somewhere.
Meditating on some of these images of new life and renewal not only lift us out of the every-day, but allow us to “plug in” to God. Try picturing the Holy Spirit as a flame within you, warming your heart and filling you with God’s love. Try picturing those “rivers of living water” flowing into you and then out of you again to others. Try breathing in the Spirit of God – the Spirit of life – while breathing out all that is tense or worried or sapping your energy.
The Scriptures use many different images for new life because it seems that we need a way of picturing these things. It’s not always easy to describe the Holy Spirit or new life in Christ, and so sometimes it helps to say, “Well – it’s kind of like this…”
What is clear is that God wants to breathe new life into us – to warm our hearts with the Holy Spirit – to refresh us just like streams in the desert would. May our souls find that refreshment as we journey on toward Spring and toward the celebration of resurrection at Easter.
