Have you ever been so thirsty that you could hardly bear it? The kind of thirst where your throat feels dried up, you can hardly swallow, and your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth that you’re just so desperate for a drink? When I did long-distance running in school, I remember being so thirsty after a long cross-country race that I felt like I couldn’t get enough water.

Just as we get physically thirsty, the Bible tells us that we get spiritually thirsty. I’m reminded of the story of the woman at the well. This Samaritan woman had lived a hard life; in and out of relationships, she was an outcast in her own town. She was thirsty, but she didn’t necessarily know it. This was just another ordinary day for her until she encountered Jesus. Here she was getting water at the local well in the heat of the day. She was alone because no one gathered water at that time of day. All the other women would have come early in the morning, but she was not accepted in that group. She’d been with too many men. Maybe she was known as a “home-wrecker,” but Jesus didn’t see her that way. Although He was a Jew, He had no problem conversing with her and telling her what she was really longing for:

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)

Like the Samaritan woman, everyone has a thirst for meaning, true love, and purpose. God created us with this thirst. And like her, we must learn that nothing will satisfy it except the One for whom the thirst was made. Relationships? Success in business or family? The accumulation of stuff? Even when you get that raise or that new car, all these things fall short of what truly satisfies. We discover that what we really long for is not anything material in this world, not even a feeling or experience. 

Jesus tells her and us that we don’t have to search the whole world or our whole lifetime to find what satisfies us. In fact, He says the water He gives will never leave us thirsty again. Notice that His water never runs out because the water He offers has a name. 

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” (John 4:25-26)

Your deepest desire has a name: Jesus, the One we were meant to thirst for. The Spirit of Christ comes and lives in us, and He is the source of this living water that keeps on giving and giving.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

As we run this race of life, we can be sure that our thirst will be met in Jesus. He promises us that He will give us abundant life! And He is so generous! Are you thirsty and longing for more? Your deepest desire has a name. It’s Jesus. Welcome Him into your life today, and never be thirsty again!

Dear Jesus, I confess I’m thirsty. Only You will truly satisfy my deepest desires. I welcome You into every part of my heart today. Amen.

Author Lorie H.

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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