Lectionary reading from the Blue Book: John 7:37-44 read full passage here
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.”
Many of us practice fasting during the season of Lent. Fasting is a time when we can remove food or drink to pay attention to God. When hunger or thirst comes up, it is a signal to remember our need for God as more than drink or food. What are you willing to pay to get your thirst quenched?
Comedian George Carlin made this observation-“Ever wonder about those people who spend $2 a piece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backward.”
Have you ever been naïve in your choice of thirst quenchers? It’s been said that by the time you’re actually thirsty, your body is already dehydrating. Can the same be true about your spiritual thirst? Once you finally realize it’s been a long time since your thirst was quenched you have waited to long.
Your body was made to thirst for water and your soul was made to thirst for God. Jesus said it this way, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink…. and rivers of Living Water will flow from you.” (John 7:37-38) As always, when we receive we can become a source of life for others.
Last week we led a group of Salvation Army Officers and Chaplains on retreat. This space was time for them to let go of all the great work they do for the most vulnerable among us and drink for their own souls’ sake. The only way we can live in the 3 M(icah) challenge (resources here) to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly is to stay thirsty for God and quenched by the Spirit.
Get alone with God for your own souls sake. Notice your thirst. Notice how is the Spirit is flowing through you? Carry a 3×5 card with you today and mark down when you notice living water flow from you.
Free
Loving
Open
Welcoming
Staying thirsty for the flow of it,
Clare and Scott
FLOW Acronym from Spiritual Rhythms from the Enneagram, Calhoun&Loughrige