Charles River Run

It snakes for 80 miles through 22 Massachusetts communities before it empties out into the Atlantic Ocean at Boston Harbor. Fortunately for me, it's a ten minute walk from our hotel and there is a beautiful running path along the Charles River which has been my route to the downtown for the last two mornings.

None other than Capt. John Smith mapped the river, naming it, appropriately, the Massachusetts River. When he presented the map to Charles I he suggested the king should feel free to change the name to that of any other English river. Guess what name he chose?

But I digress. The idea of a river running through a city reminds me that God's living water is poured out on every city and town where His people live, worship and witness. We are, in a spiritual sense, the cleansing water that brings salvation and refreshment to the soul. People are like the woman of Samaria, who sought other sources, but was reminded by the man speaking with her, "I am the living water." It is both our privilege and duty to be that river that runs through our city.