Thirsty Together

It’s amazing how thirst spreads like wildfire amongst young children.

When the first one says, “I am thirsty,” the room fills with echoes of the same. Everyone has to go to the water fountain to get a drink.

Thirsting is catching just like yawning. I bet you just looked around for your water bottle.

That’s really the business model of every small town bar. They’re betting that you’re thirsty and that you won’t want to drink alone.

No matter how much you may drink, thirst always returns.

Perhaps that’s why the prophet Isaiah called out, “Come, everyone who thirsts!”

Jesus later echoed those words: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

Author Frederick Buechner writes, “Who are the poor naked wretches? Who are the ones that labor and are heavy laden? All ye, Jesus says- that is His tragic word to us, and His preachers must speak it after Him if they are to be true to His truth.”

Thirst is a powerful teacher. Again and again in Scripture, the Lord uses it to help His people understand quenching and satiety.

The law teaches grace.

Judgment teaches mercy.

Need teaches provision.

Thirst teaches satisfaction.

I read the Psalmist’s words just the other day: “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

But it didn’t stir in me the kind of thirst that I once had.

Then, a guest came to my house who has just awakened to the thirst for God. He yearns to know God, to be known by God. You can hear his thirst in his questions, in his love for God’s word, in his assurance that God is the One, True, and Living God who holds all life in His hand.

This fellow’s thirst made me thirsty. Just hearing him talk about his discovery of salvation in Jesus made me look around for my Living Water bottle. His thirst was catching, and our whole family found ourselves worshiping Jesus as thirsty people.

Tragic as it may be, thirst is better than the inability to feel thirsty. If an athlete practices all day and is unable to experience thirst, he will dehydrate. Dehydration can lead to death. Isn’t it better to thirst?

Jesus gives a very clear invitation to those who thirst.

This thirst isn’t about going to church or practicing religion or needing time away. This thirst is immediate, desperate, and dangerous.

It’s a thirst that can only be quenched by Jesus.

When was the last time you thirsted for what He could give? You won’t find it at the bar, but you will find it if you surround yourself with those who are equally thirsty.

Jesus promised that “whoever seeks finds.”

I am thankful for the guest who brought his thirst into my home, for it made me realize anew how thirsty I am also. We can rush to the Fountain together.