Like all babies, Andrew screams when he wants a bottle. Some days, when it's really hot outside, and I've been running or biking, I become keenly aware of thirst. I search out water on a quest. Like Andrew needing his bottle, it becomes a single focus. More often however, for me, thirst feels like something not quite right. I can't quite name what's off. Eventually, I fill one of our big red plastic cups with luke-warm water from the tap and take a sip. The water isn't that great, but I down it and refill, and down a second glass.
I think spiritual thirst looks like this. Sometimes, we become aware that we have been lacking faith or a spiritual connection and we seek it out like ice water on a hot day. But, more often, I find that something is not quite right in my life and I stumble into something, church, prayer, conversation about faith and I recognize my parched soul lapping up every last drop.
Jesus said, "I am living water. He who drinks of me shall never thirst again." I wonder what exactly he means by that. Maybe that only God satisfies spiritual thirst? That we can't quench our desire for meaning and purpose with philosophy or spiritual musings.. Or maybe he means that at some point in the future, by remaining in relationship with God, we will find permanent fulfillment and peace and no longer have these deep longings? I'm not sure. For now, I keep coming back and filling my cup. And I am sustained.
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