The Empty Fountain

I originally wrote this during the winter of 2009. As with most of my writings from this period in my life, this musing is steeped in personal thoughts concerning themes of Christianity, God, and faith in general. 

The Empty Fountain

The drained fountain at Dixie State College, winter 2009.

I noticed a large fountain that sits in the middle of the Dixie State College campus. Most of the year the fountain is active, shooting up high streams of waters that all fall arch back down and find their mark in the waiting pool. I am often greeted by the pleasant sight whenever I cross the campus, but not this time. With the onset of cold weather the winter season inevitably brings, the fountain had been shut off and drained. It would remain so until spring.

Seeing the empty fountain reminded me of the exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well found in John 4. Concerning Jacob’s Well, the Savior said, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again.” He then added, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into Everlasting life” (John 4: 13-14, KJV).

Looking back on the empty fountain, I thought: “How many times do we attempt to drink from empty fountains, yet are never filled? Only a fountain that offers living water can truly give us what we are looking for.”