Thirsty

It was nearly 100 degrees the other day.  Dozsar, my vizsla, was thirsty.  As soon as I placed the bowl of water in front of him, he immediately lapped it up.  He did it so quickly, the water he so fervently craved poured from his mouth in a mixed stream of water and doggy drool.  He, of course, had to come over and give me a wet, sloppy kiss right afterward.  But, that is another story.

Dozsar had a craving - a thirst - that only water could satisfy.  It is a basic need of animals and humans.  The problem is, once that thirst is satisfied, it will eventually come back.  The constant need for water is crucial to survival.

The same is true in the spiritual realm.  We have different cravings.  We have all kinds of thirst.  Unfortunately, we try to satisfy them with the things of the world.  While it seems refreshing and satisfies for a while, the thirst comes back.  There is a longing, but nothing ever seems to completely satisfy.  Yet, we continue in our quest to quench that desperate longing in our hearts.

Jesus told the woman at the well (John 4) that He could give her water that would completely satisfy - she would never thirst again.  After revealing things about her that a complete stranger could not have known, she perceived that there was something different about Jesus.  Her spiritual thirst was quenched by Him and so she immediately went to tell others.  As soon as they heard, other people were intrigued and had to come to hear Jesus for themselves.

That tells me something.  While we can share all that Jesus has done for us, our experience with the Lord can not satisfy the thirst of others.  They must come and drink themselves.  As much as we want, we can not make decisions for our friends, family, and coworkers.  We can (and must) share our experiences, but they must drink for themselves.  Until they do, they will continue to have a longing that they will try to fill with the things of this world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  But, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

What are you drooling for?

Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  ~Matthew 5:6