potable.

(written a couple weeks ago, back in Buenos Aires)

I don't know why, but I really like this post title and the subject...without even having written it, I feel like it will be my favorite (arrogant much? I don't know what I'm thinking -_- anyway...on to the post)

potable (adj.): suitable for drinking (according to WordWeb)
A few days into my stay in Buenos Aires, I discovered from my dad here that all water in Buenos Aires (I think? or Argentina) is potable. (On a random side note, I remember first learning the word and thinking it was so odd...but thank goodness I remember it and that it's the same word in Spanish! Hehe.) Filling up my water bottle and/or quenching my thirst is as easy as turning the spout in my bathroom or kitchen sink here. I guess it essentially is the case in many places in the United States (maybe?), but even so, we seem to have developed a need for water filters...either way, I've never been a picky water drinker, so taste doesn't bother me.
But! The interesting thing is, although water from any faucet here is drinkable, water is not free at restaurants, unlike in the U.S. You have to order mineral water (for two dollars or so per bottle--although, to be fair, they come in cool green glass bottles that are pretty large XD); otherwise, no H20 for you!
Somehow, something in my mind connected the strange dichotomy between potable water everywhere and yet having to pay for it in restaurants (and vice versa in the U.S., to some extent) with...(maybe) you guessed it, Jesus! :) This may not make much sense, but if you're willing to try, bear with me.
I was reminded of the fact that so often, in today's society, the world tells us that we have to pay for salvation, that we have to earn our way to heaven and eternal life with "good" deeds (the same way we have to pay for our water in restaurants here). However, the salvation offered by God's grace through Jesus and His death and resurrection is all we need to be saved.
And the great thing? It's FREE! :) All we need is to invite God into our hearts and believe that He sent His Son to save us from our sins. It's free and ubiquitous, just like the potable water from faucets here.
(Connection number two...water is absolutely essential to life...as is salvation in Jesus!)




...I wish I was more eloquent. The idea sounded better in my head, but I feel like my explanation was inadequate.