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“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said,
rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
(John 7:37-38)
WATER IS LIFE
When we first went to Malawi in 2014, I met Shadrick. He worked as a gardener but spent much of his time drawing water from the well, pulling up on the thick rope again and again and again. He knew that he needed many buckets to water all the plants. Shadrick taught me my first phrase in Chichewa: “Madzi ndi moyo” (“Water is life.”). I remember joking with him while I reminded him “Jesu ndi moyo” (“Jesus is life.”).
The days are hot in sub-Saharan Africa. Everyone sweats. Many people complain. All of us got thirsty and wished someone would give us a very tall glass of water, or Fanta, or juice, or Coke.
We are all looking for a drink that will refresh and restore us, that will give back the energy and strength that chronic illness strips away.
My question is: What type of water are we drinking? Where do we first turn when we need a drink?
THE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER
I have learned that joy can exist, even in the middle of turmoil, when we turn to the One who cares for us. He told us in His Word:
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
(Isaiah 55:1)
Without money? Without money and without cost? Our Lord offers a free gift! Will we take it? Will we keep on taking it?
We get to drink until we are full, until we overflow! I have heard it said many times that God needs us desperate, for only in our desperation do we truly recognize our need and our total dependence on Him. We just need to get thirsty.
Living water is God’s love poured out on us, every day, every moment. I want to be drenched in this water — saturated.
Living water explodes deep joy within us that cannot be explained.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasure at your right hand.
(Psalm 16:11)
Living water brings us peace, peace that overcomes all those things that can cause us to worry:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:7)
This is the water I want to drink!
PRAYER
Father God, I pray that when we are in need, when we are weak, doubting, and thirsty, we drink Your water, Your living water, Your true life — and I pray that as we are filled to overflowing, we share it with others. Amen.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- When life feels overwhelming, where do you first turn for help?
- Are there times when it seems like God isn’t paying attention to the things you’re going through? Do you take the time to tell Him?
- Can you remember a time when you asked for God’s help, and though your situation didn’t change or the pain didn’t ease up, you could feel a sense of peace, maybe even joy, rising inside?
I challenge you to drink deeply of and rejoice in Living Water!
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Karin Fendick
Chronic Joy® Staff Writer and Prayer Team
Karin is a handmaiden of the Lord, saved by grace, a worshiper, a poet, a broken heart, a lover of words, His work in progress on the Potter's wheel. She is hungry for truth and amazed by love. After five years in Africa, Karin and Rick (her beloved husband of almost twenty-five years), are back in rural Canada, where chronic pain drives her to the feet of Jesus. She is powered by prayer, love, and many cups of strong coffee. She is the author of From Ashes to Glory (A Psalm a Day).
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