Ozone Falls in Cumberland County, Tennessee

"Always Flowing"

Through the years I've accumulated a number of favorite spots to visit. Some require a full day or more to get there. Others need only a few minutes. I visited one of the latter earlier this week as I made my way down Interstate 40.

Ozone Falls is located in Cumberland County, Tennessee, not far from Crossville. Getting there is a short detour from the Interstate. To fully appreciate the waterfall, you need to make a short (but steep) hike down to the base of the falls. There you can marvel at the water falling from 110 feet above. This visit found the flow of water full and impressive.

I've been to this spot at other times when very little water was falling, due to a scarcity of rain over previous days. If you're like me, you hope for an abundance of water. That's when waterfalls are most impressive.

My trip was purely recreational, a time to try out a new camera I had just purchased. But what about those who depend on spots like this for life-giving water? What if they find the stream dry? Then it's more than a disappointment; it becomes tragic.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that He could provide for her "living water" (John 4:10). The two were at a well in Sychar, a place where people came not for recreation but for a vital need. Jesus had no bucket to let down into the well. But no matter - He was referring to spiritual water that every soul needs to survive.

Before we get our hopes up, let's remember: That was a long time ago. Streams have been known to dry up or to change their course. Even if we go to the Lord to ask for this living water, who's to say it is still available?

Actually, Jesus says that. In John 7:38 He elaborated on this special water He offers: "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Three words in that one verse catch my attention: "living" means fresh water, not stagnant. "Flow" means a continual source of water. "Rivers" teaches that there will be no shortage; God has an abundant supply.

Let's add one more impressive term to the description of living water: "eternal". John recorded this beautiful fact: "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1). That vision came not from earth, a place of decay and corruption, but from heaven, a home of everlasting freshness. And we're invited to come drink (Revelation 22:17)!

I want that living water! And according to my Savior, it's available now and forever.
Timothy D. Hall