There's nothing a like a cool drink on a hot summer's day. A chilled Powerade, Gatorade, Vitamin Water or good ole Adam's ale (H2O) really hits the spot. I love to grab an ice cold Pepsi and chug it. I love the sting in my throat as that river of refreshment is going down. Man, that tastes good. And since I just got done with my exercise routine, I could go for one right now.
Thirst creates an almost desperate longing to be quenched. There is a dryness in our throat that draws the rest of our body's attention and focus. We press on but that longing to be quenched presses us. It slows us down. It distracts us. It inhibits our productivity. Until we get something to drink, our mind and body is preoccupied. That simple thirst begins to affect us physically, mentally and emotionally.
In John 7 Jesus talks about people being thirsty for something more than just a drink of water. It's natural for people who are parched to reach for their favorite liquid beverage to quench that thirst. But Jesus offers something that is more refreshing, something that goes deeper into our being.
Let's face it, life can be tough. It can be a lot of fun, but everybody faces difficult issues at sometime in their life. They become personally parched. People try a lot of stuff to quench their inner thirst. Sex, power, partying, careers, boyfriends, girlfriends, marriage, kids, riches, material stuff, music, video games, sports, porn are substitutes that give brief highs or satisfaction but don't quench that deep thirst.
Jesus said that those who take a drink of Him will be satisfied. Whoever believes in Him will have streams of living water flowing from within. Quenched. A river of living water flowing to the parts of my being that quenches the thirst of my life, my purpose, my meaning, my direction, my future, my hope. Downing an ice cold Pepsi may taste great going down, but it really doesn't quench my thirst. In fact, it sometimes makes me even thirstier. Substitutes may taste great going down, but they can also create other problems too. Not only have they not met my thirst, they have created a greater thirst.
Until our deeper thirst is met, many or most will be distracted in life. Oh sure, we may press on and try to ignore the thirst, but it's still there. Until we take the drink of Jesus, that thirst will remain.
As the Psalmist said God, I long for you as a deer longs for a brook. I need you to quench my thirst; nothing else can. Your spirit that wells up with me is so refreshing. I need it most when life is the most draining. Without the river of life flowing from within, I would no doubt perish. My life withers when I'm not drinking from you. Don't just fill my cup, Lord. Fill me. Quench my deepest thirst.
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