Goodbye Thirst

A couple weeks ago, Luke took me to McDonalds for some French fries and a Coke. We then went over to Napa Auto Parts to grab a new starter for my car, which had quit working the previous day. It was a relaxing Saturday afternoon, and we were kind of in celebratory mode a little bit. We were just getting out of a two-month-long busy stint, and we were feeling free kind of free.

While Luke was in Napa, I looked down at my cup of Coke and read the lid. It said Goodbye Thirst. My immediate thought was, …huh…that’s cute…, as a small smile lit my face.

But not a moment later, I felt the Holy Spirit begin to whisper to me. He reminded me of the story in John 4 where Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman. He said to her, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

I felt the Holy Spirit ask me what I had been thirsting for in these past two months. The answers came quickly.

Belonging.

Acceptance.

Community.

Fulfillment.

But what the Holy Spirit reminded me of in that moment outside of Napa Auto Parts, was that I can go to other “wells” and drink from them, but my thirst will only be satisfied for a moment. I’ll just keep wandering, looking for other sources. Or digging too deep in an effort that is futile. But Jesus said that if we ask, he would give us water so that we will never thirst again. We will never feel lonely, rejected, isolated, or discontent. No, we would never be thirsty again.

I was given a beautiful gift that day in the way of a deeper revelation of how deeply Jesus cares for us. What he offers is the full package. The real deal.  Where the world tries to pawn off cheap substitutes.

I wasn’t looking for Jesus when Luke bought me that Coke. But He speaks to us in many ways, doesn’t he?

What is your burden today? What lays heavy on your heart? Go to Jesus, and let him show you how to say, “Goodbye, thirst.”