1 April, Tuesday — God’s power can transform even the most desolate places.

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent

Eze 47:1-9,12    
Jn 5:1-16

…for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows.

As I write today’s reflection, Singapore is experiencing an intense monsoon surge, bringing heavy rain for the past two days. While some may find the downpour inconvenient, I welcome it. The rain feels refreshing, washing away the heaviness and mugginess in the air. Best of all, the daytime temperature has dropped to a cool 25°C—a welcome relief from the usual heat and humidity.

How fitting, then, that today’s first reading from Ezekiel describes a vision of a life-giving river flowing from the Temple in Jerusalem. Wherever this river flows, it brings healing and renewal, much like how the rain refreshes the earth. The Temple represents God’s presence and the river symbolizes His life-giving power, flowing out into the world, transforming everything in its path.

As I reflect on past seasons of my life and this present one, I see how God has been moving—even in times when everything felt bleak and impossible. There were moments when I could barely breathe, struggling just to get through another day. I am reminded of the imagery of wading through a rising stream, the water deepening with each step, until I could go no further. I felt as though I was drowning, overwhelmed and powerless.

However, today’s first reading reveals that the deepening river is not a sign of despair but a symbol of God’s ever-increasing blessings and the boundless nature of His grace. The deeper the waters, the greater their power—signifying not only spiritual growth but also the overwhelming abundance of divine life. What once felt like a struggle to stay afloat was, in truth, an invitation to surrender—to let God’s grace carry me where my own strength could not.

‘Do you want to be well again?’

Surely! But I was stuck. It was only when I felt completely powerless—when I was at my wit’s end—that I surrendered everything to God.

‘Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is disturbed…’

How often have I longed for healing, but on my own terms? I wanted to be lifted out of the depths, to be restored in the way I had imagined. But God, in His wisdom, did not calm the waters or take me where I had hoped to go. Instead, He led me through the depths to where I needed to be. His plans were greater than mine, though I could not see it at the time.

Where God leads me is not always where I expect—or even where I want—to go. Yet, His path is always one of life, healing, and transformation. Sometimes, the journey feels uncertain, like stepping into deep waters where my feet no longer touch the ground. At times, I resist, clinging to the shore, afraid of what lies ahead. But the river does not stop flowing. It invites me to trust, to step forward, and to surrender.

Where God leads me, there is growth. Just as the river in Ezekiel’s vision nourishes the barren land and causes trees to flourish, God’s presence cultivates renewal in my soul. Even in seasons of dryness, He provides what I need—sometimes in unexpected ways, sometimes through trials that strip away my illusions of control. Yet, with every step of faith, I see His grace deepening in my life, like the river widening and growing stronger.

Where God leads me, there is healing. The Dead Sea, lifeless and stagnant, is revived when the river reaches it. So too, God can restore what seems broken beyond repair—old wounds, lost dreams, fractured relationships, weary hearts. No place is too barren for His grace, no soul too lost for His love. He does not merely make things better; He makes them new.

Where God leads me, there is purpose. The trees along the riverbank do not just grow for themselves; they bear fruit in every season, and their leaves bring healing. In the same way, when I remain rooted in Him, my life is no longer just about my own journey but about becoming a source of encouragement, love, and healing for others. What God pours into me is meant to overflow—to bring life beyond myself.

And so, I find myself once again at the river’s edge. Will I wade in hesitantly, fearing the unknown? Or will I surrender and let the waters carry me, trusting that wherever God’s river flows, there is life.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the source of life and renewal. Just as Your river brings healing and transformation, fill my heart with Your grace. Help me to trust where You lead, even when the path is uncertain. May I surrender fully to Your will and allow Your love to flow through me. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Lord, I thank You for Your unfailing presence in my life. Even in the driest seasons, You nourish my soul and restore what is broken. Thank You for leading me where I need to be, for Your wisdom that far exceeds my own, and for the gift of new life in You. Amen.