Thirsty

I read this quote in my Andrew Murray book this morning, "It is only into the thirst of an empty soul that the streams of living waters flow. Ever thirsting is the secret of never thirsting." And it struck me as both profound and true. I had never thought of it that way - that in order to be repeatedly filled with living water I need to be repeatedly thirsty.

Have you ever come to the end of the day only to be so thirsty you're afraid you'll have to get up 3 times for the bathroom at night? It's days like those when I realize I've not been drinking enough throughout the day. We all know we're supposed to get a lot of water each day (like 8, 8oz cups or something) and I rarely get enough. Sometimes my body let's me know of the deficit, but in general I'm sure I physically function with less water content in my body than is optimal.

I wonder if I do the same thing spiritually. If I get through each day with the minimal amount of the Water of Life. Occasionally my spirit feels parched, and I can see my need to refuel spiritually. However, I wonder if most days I spiritually function on less Living Water, than the Holy One intended for me. How would life, my everyday - doing laundry and dishes - life, look different if I had my "8 cups" a day? Continually returning to the Source of Life in order to be filled - even filled to overflowing. So that I have something to give - to my children, my husband, friends and family, the homeless people who walk by my house daily, even total strangers. How would I be different if I lived continually thirsty - and was continually filled."

Psalm 42:1-2

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

Isaiah 44:3

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams."

Isaiah 55:1-3

"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. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."

And a personal favorite - John 7:37-38

"On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.' "

O Lord, may streams of Your Living Water flow from within me, to bring honor to Your Name, to fill up my soul, and refresh those around me. - - - AMEN