Water. Justice rolling down like water. Why is water such a vivid symbol for justice? The prophet Amos tells us that justice needs to flow like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. This year many annual conferences used the symbol of water to underline their call to work for justice. Many sermons referenced Amos 5: 21-24 to call the people to works of justice in their communities and in the world.

How many of us have little motorized waterfalls in our buildings or offices? The sound of flowing water seems to comfort us. How many of us have stood before the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and put out our hands to feel the water as it flows over the words of Amos?

A mountain stream moves in its constancy and determination as if it had a task to accomplish, and it does not slow to rest. It is always there, always coming from a source far beyond our sight and grasp. Its path takes it through many smooth places, rapids, and falls, but it does not hesitate — even when we throw trash in its path. It moves on and grows stronger with each stream that joins it.

Justice and water . . . give life.
Justice and water . . . are free-flowing.
Justice and water . . . are restoring.
Justice and water . . . mean salvation.
Justice and water . . . are purifying.

Isaiah 58-11: ". . . and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water where water shall not fail.

Isaiah 12:3: With joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.

Psalm 1:3: They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do they prosper.

Justice is commanded to be as much in our daily lives as water is for our daily strength and survival. Justice and water are poetically and symbolically connected in the Scriptures. Justice is commanded to be a part of our daily lives and existence, to the extent that we do acts of justice without recoiling and thinking that this is a risky thing.

The phrase, "As the water flows and the grass is green" is basic to many covenants and, for many Native Americans, the basis for believing a treaty would be upheld by all parties.

Look for other references to justice and water and reflect on a flowing stream and green grass. Water is assured us in our daily lives. We accept it for life and survival. Think of justice for life and survival, rolling down like water.

Alyne JoAnn Eslinger is Director of Ministry in Daily Life and Community/Justice Ministries at the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.