Living Water

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

(John 4:13-14)

Meditation

While I was stationed in Italy when I was in the Air Force, I had the opportunity to visit Spain. I went for a walk outside the Air Force base near Madrid. I wasn’t planning to be gone long, but I got lost and didn’t have any water. It was midday and over 100 degrees with no shade anywhere. There was a sea of scorpions everywhere I looked, thousands of them. I was out in this wilderness area for about four hours and severely parched and in need of water. I had never known that kind of thirst before. When I could muster enough saliva to swallow, it actually hurt to do so. I finally found my way back and probably drank a gallon of water. It was the best tasting water I ever had.

I know all the water I drink is essential to my health and energy, but I didn’t know anything about my need for spiritual water. For most of my adult life, I had been searching for something to fill a void in my heart. I tried to find something to satisfy a hunger I couldn’t even describe to myself. I thought I just needed to party every chance I got. I kept doing the same things over and over to break the cycle of internal pain.  I lived like there were no consequences. I didn’t understand my soul had a craving that I didn’t know how to feed. We all have that thirst that we try to fill with worldly pleasures. For me, I was in my mid forties before I relinquished my will for God’s will for my life.

Before I turned to Jesus my soul was dead and parched dry like a dessert. Deep down, I knew that Jesus was a source for inner peace and happiness, but I wasn’t able to give up control of my life until I was much older. Christ came into my life and offered me “living water” that brought refreshment and renewal to my soul. I was no longer an empty shell, walking around in my own emptiness. I was refreshed and my soul was filled to overflowing with “living water”, better known as unspeakable joy. I couldn’t get enough of sharing Christ with everyone I ran into. It’s that wellspring of love, hope and faith that draws others to the well of living water and everlasting life. Who will you share your joy with today?

Daily Prayer

Lord God in heaven, your blessings are what we covet. We thank you every day for your provision. You brought us out of the dessert where our souls were always searching for the water only Jesus can give. Had Jesus not persisted in knocking on the doors to our hearts, our souls would still be dead, and our hearts still covered in stone. He pursued us into the depths of our despair and pulled us out of the darkness and into his bright and shining light. Our souls are refreshed, and we have an overwhelming desire to tell everyone about his gospel. Never let that feeling fade into the obscurity of our thoughts. Never let us think we have plenty of time to share. Fill us with that wonderful living water, replenish it every day when we study your word, and make it well up to overflowing. Send us out, with cups running over with your love, to tell your good news to an unbelieving world. Thank you, Lord, we love you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!