Thirsting for Living Water

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” –John 4:13, 14

If you want to join me in reflection, Taizé style, light some candles, turn off the lights and listen to these voices; meditate on these words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGSWP26SakU&feature=related

By night we hasten in darkness
To search for the living water
Only our thirst leads us onwards,
Only our thirst leads us onwards.

De noche iremos, de noche,
Que para encontrar la fuente.
Solo la sed nos a lumbra,
Solo la sed nos a lumbra.

I’ve been dehydrated many times before. The worse kinds of dehydration are the days after night shift or a heavy night of drinking. The nauseating feeling coming from sluggish and toxic water-deprived blood sliding through your vessels trying to provide your body, especially your brain, with oxygen is a very awful feeling. It’s often easy to fix physical dehydration but I’ve been realizing how hard it is to fulfill this thirsty soul of mine.

My soul is feeling a little more than dehydrated; it feels almost empty. Now, at first glance, this may seem so destitute and awful. At times, it has been that bad. Yet this is actually a good thing. Just like you have to feed your pets’ food appropriate for them, your car needs to be filled with gas and oil and your soul needs to be filled with soul food. (I don’t mean the food of African American culture.)

I haven’t been feeding my soul what it needs. My impulsivities have been overwhelming my search for true nutrients. I have been trying to fill the emptiness with male affection and things money can buy, all of which haven’t been working. I am still coming from a place of years of malnourishment and craving cautiousness and thoughtful direction in my life. I don’t want to be a selfish little Veruca Salt anymore.

Now, that I have found fellowship with the body of Christ again, that which I had been avoiding for those drought-filled years, I am really thirsting for this living water. Thankfully, I am empty and can be filled to the brim and overflowing with it. But I have not yet approached this river of life. So by night I hasten the darkness in search of living water and only my thirst leads me onward. Come join me!

God, lead me to your living water. Let me not be anxious as I travel. Give me patience and peace. Fill my cup.