Streams of living water
When it comes to treating people with heat exhaustion, there's a persistent notion that you simply need to give them more water. Those affected drink up to a liter, yet experience no improvement. Their bodies are lacking something very essential: salt. Electrolyte reserves are so depleted that plain water is no help. Only sports drinks, which replace the missing salts, lead to recovery. Therefore, the key is to compensate for a deficiency with the right substance.
We experience a similar situation in everyday life whenever we sense that something profound is missing, something that provides true fulfillment. Restlessness sets in, and we try to fill the inner emptiness. Water symbolizes a better job, more money, a new relationship, or fame. History shows time and again: Even people who seemingly have everything eventually realize that they are still missing something crucial.
The answer to this dilemma is provided by the Book of Revelation. John paints a picture of heavenly hope and quotes Jesus: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Offb 22,17).
These words remind me of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Jesus explains to her that anyone who drinks the water he gives will never thirst again. The living water transforms within her into a spring that flows to eternal life: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. The water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (Joh 4,13-14).
In this way, Jesus describes himself as living water. He is the essential ingredient—only he gives life. When we recognize Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, our thirst is permanently quenched. The question of what truly fills and heals us then becomes irrelevant. In him we find everything: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within him.’” (Joh 7,37-38).
Money, relationships, recognition, and admiration can enrich our lives, but they cannot fill the inner emptiness. What a person truly needs, they receive only from Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, rivers of living water will flow from us: “Now Jesus said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. For as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (Joh 7,39).
Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. In his power, we are raised to new, endless life. Our thirst is quenched. Do you feel burned out? Does it seem as if your life revolves around a desperate attempt to fill a deep void? Then you can know: Jesus is the answer. He offers you his living water—he gives nothing less than himself. He is our life. Quench your thirst once and for all through the only one who can truly heal: Jesus Christ.
by Jeff Broadnax
Jeff Broadnax
