“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”
John 7:37
I drank too much coffee this morning. And while many people, including me, think coffee is pretty great, it doesn’t help very much if you are thirsty. It actually dehydrates you. And that is how I feel right now - dehydrated and thirsty. I need a glass of water!
But I think I am like most people anymore in that I usually drink something else instead of water - whether it is coffee or juice or Diet Dr. Pepper. Even though we know we are supposed to drink a lot of water each day for our health (how many glasses is it? 6? 8?) we usually don’t. Some people will drink water at meals, but not at any other time. I’m not sure why this is. Perhaps it is just too boring? Or we like other beverages more? This is not just a problem for Americans either, because in 12 years of living in China, I never saw a Chinese person drink water. There is something in our human nature, I guess, that keeps us from pursuing and taking advantage of the healthiest option. It is simple, but we fight against it!
This verse in John reveals that we have the same problem spiritually. There is one thing that we need to do when we are spiritually thirsty as well. One thing that quenches our thirst more than any other. And that is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Just like your doctor starts every treatment plan with drinking more water… every spiritual treatment plan starts with drinking in more of the living water that Jesus offers us. We look to so many other things to fulfill us - pleasures, work, relationships, exercise - some of these even refresh us a bit. And just like coffee, they can temporarily give us a boost. But none of them are life-giving like Jesus. So, if you are thirsty today, just take a moment to go to him and drink - through the Word of God and through prayer. You will not regret it!
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I am looking forward to seeing you all this evening and then on Sunday for the anniversary celebration during worship. Pastor Jimmy is putting the service together, so a big thank you to him. Remember this evening that we will be discussing why Jesus so often spoke in parables, so please come and join us!
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Aaron
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