Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4: 13-14, NIV
Photo by Katie Rea
My favorite hikes are the ones which lead to a waterfall. The steep, rocky terrain I have to endure to reach the falls is forgotten once I hear the power of the water’s flow and then see the cascade before me. Every time my breath catches. I become centered. I am reminded that the world is so much larger than I can even imagine, and God is at work through all of it down to the most minute detail. My problems, which may have overwhelmed me before, suddenly doesn’t feel so large and looming. God is much bigger than my problems, whatever they may be at the time.
It’s unfortunate how many times I need that reminder. But when I feel restless or troubled, I feel led to a body of water. I do not always have time for a waterfall adventure, so at times I seek out a pond, lake or river to walk by. If I am lucky enough for a beach trip, I will sit by the ocean and listen to the mesmerizing waves. The water, in this case, is a soothing companion, a friend and even a mystery which calls me.
A friend told me it is because I have a Chakra which is blocked. Someone else pointed out to me that I’m a Pisces, a water sign. Whatever the reason, even as a young girl, I felt the power of water and always felt close to God there.
Early civilizations were created near waterways. Access to drinking water, fertile cropland, fishing and water travel were important in order to survive and flourish. Water is essential for human existence. Our own bodies are comprised of 50% of water or more.
Water also has great theological significance. The Gospels show how Jesus first went to John the Baptist at the Jordan River to be baptized before going into the wilderness or starting His ministry. (Matthew 3:13-17) Water is a symbol of a new life in Christ officially starting with our baptism within the church. He spoke to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, saying, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
God is known in the Old Testament as “the spring of living water.” (Jeremiah 2:13 and 17:13). David tells us how his, “soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2) David says again, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you…” (Psalm 63:1)
What is it you thirst for?
God reminds me of this question occasionally. What do you thirst for? Often, I thirst for God, but get off track. I thirst for time to get everything done, for recognition of a good job, or I thirst to people-please, or get busy for the sake of getting busy, or I’m on survival mode from day-to-day and simply pass God by. Thank goodness for God’s gentle reminders, ‘What do you thirst for?’ It reminds me to slow down and pay attention to God.
St. Teresa of Calcutta’s (Mother Teresa) quote this morning reminded me that while we thirst for Jesus, He thirsts for a relationship with us as well.
Feel free to read this slowly:
“Not only [does Jesus love] you, even more—He longs for you. He misses you when you don’t come close. He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy…’I thirst’ is something much deeper than just Jesus saying ‘I love you.’ Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you—you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him.” *
Feel free to read that again. I can wait. It’s important.
Whenever you see a body of water, remember how God is our source of “living water.” God loves us and desires us. If we are off track, as can often happen, recalibrate your path to focus on God.
Remember how Jesus also thirsts for you.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus.
Mother Teresa’s Daily Prayer
For more information:
*Join Saints in 7 Days: Mother Teresa, Chapter 2, A Call Within a Call. Hallow app
I Thirst: 40 Days with Mother Teresa book
As The Deer song
Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997. She was canonized as Saint Teresa on September 4, 2016.
“How Much of Your Body Is Water?”
Subscribe to my newsletter.
In Thought, Word & Deed 
Leave a Reply