May 6: Never thirst again

But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.  (John 4:14 NET)

God often refers to water as a symbol of His Word, and His Spirit.  There are promises that speak of those who trust in Him as trees that are firmly planted by the water, and that those whose lives have become parched deserts, will see streams of water appear.  

No one can survive without water, and our physical bodies are comprised of up to 75% water.  And though it’s essential for our existence, here Jesus is teaching the woman at the well that He can provide another kind of water, even greater and more essential for life.  He is offering her living water, and once she drinks it, she will never thirst again.

Our spirits and souls are constantly thirsting for fulfillment, and most people in this world are trying to quench that thirst with activities, jobs, family, addictions and pleasure-seeking, and trying to fool themselves that their lives are just great the way they are.  But God sees what kind of inner battles they suffer, what doubts and fears plague them, and what tortured thoughts go through their minds while keeping a big smile on their faces in public.  No one can fool God.  Everyone thirsts for this living water that Jesus promises.

But people choose to believe that either water as amazing as that doesn’t exist, or that it’s not meant for them.  God wants us not just to drink of the water, but to allow it to turn into a flowing fountain that springs up inside of us, a fountain that continuously satisfies any thirst.  That is the infilling and overflowing of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to first drink from His spring, and then to be that fountain for others to see for themselves how real and how live-changing living for God can be. If everyone could remove the blinders from their eyes and see the life of total satisfaction, of abundance of life and joy that Jesus is offering to them, they would do whatever it took to take the deepest drink from His water.