As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? –Psalm 42:1-2
My youngest daughter is participating in the “Little Olympics” this week. On Monday, the coach reminded the students that they needed to drink lots of water this week so they would be well hydrated for the outdoor games on Friday. They wanted the young athletes to drink now and not wait until the last minute to drink water. When they are thirsty, they need to take a drink of water. This helps their performance and keeps them from getting sick in the heat.
Thirst is a powerful sensation. It tells us when we need to drink water. Thirst is part of God’s wonderful design that helps to keep our bodies healthy and functioning properly. Most sources suggest that the average person drink around 8 ounces a day. Our bodies have a built-in gage to tell us when we fail to properly hydrate.
I believe the that God, who designed our bodies, also designed our souls to know when they are thirsty. As the Psalmist wrote so long ago, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Just like we were created with a need for water, we were also created with a need for God. When we neglect our time with God, those opportunities to draw close and receive God’s grace, we deprive our souls of the sustenance we need. When we thirst, we lose focus. It is hard to complete the tasks before us and it becomes almost impossible to catch a vision for the future that God has in store for us.
Thankfully, we are never without water to drink, spiritually speaking. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that, “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” (John 7:37-39) What a wonderful gift God has given us. We do not have to worry about when or how the thirst of our souls will be quenched. We can turn to God, pray, study, worship, and God will give us a drink of “Living Water” that will satisfy our souls.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
