This morning it hit me. God did nothing less at the cross of Jesus than plumb a gushing fountain of grace from the base of the cross to the center of the garden restoration.

Water is symbolic of life.  As a young boy, to camp by the running water of a Rocky Mountain stream was the highlight of the year. Pure drinking water flowing from a deep, cold, spring fountain was nearby.

I enjoy visiting expensive landscaped gardens and parks with gurgling and shooting fountains of water as the centerpiece. A tranquil peace comes from a visit to a well-designed water garden. Fountains, streams, and waterfalls calm the soul.

A stream in the desert—just the thought of it brings a smile to the heart. God tells his people in Isaiah chapter 43 about his eternal water project. It is a massive eternal water culvert shooting forth God’s grace. “See—I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”

In the beginning of my walk with Jesus, I lived unaware of God’s Garden Fountain of grace. I should have been brighter. My parents and family treated me with grace. Why was I so slow to see the comparative drip of family grace and miss the unfathomable fountain of God’s grace—the God who is the very definition of love?

That is the essence of what God did for me at the cross. He provided a fountain of grace I can access at once and continue its sustenance throughout eternity in God’s restored garden.

His garden fountain of grace is powerful; it can cover every imaginable and detestable sin but one—the sin of outright defiance and rejection.

That grace was mine when I obediently believed Jesus, said I would trust him, and went  with Jesus into the waters of baptism and came up alive in him to walk a new life.

Unfortunately, I spent the beginning years of my walk with Jesus afraid he might let go of my hand if I stumbled or made a misstep. Dumb—dumb—dumb—on my part. The grace from the blood of the son of God at the cross covers every one of my sinful gaffs.

I should be delighted to see our world’s abundant reminders of the cross. Never taking it for granted. As a symbol hanging from a necklace, ring, or bracelet, I need a constant reminder of God’s gushing grace.

What are your reflections? Are you living under God’s refreshing garden fountain of grace? Stay tuned. – Gary Sorrells