The Thirsty

We are surrounded by people in our neighborhoods, communities and workplaces who are lonely and empty. They may look like normal successful people or they may look needy and in pain. But many are just living a life of emptiness. Trying to find something to satisfy that deep thirst God put in every person.

A God given thirst is in everyone. It is a thirst that can be satisfied by God alone. It can be waxed over, run from, or even denied but it is there in every heart. Most just try to fill it other ways. But it never works they always end up thirsty again.

Those that know Christ have found the living water that can quench eternal thirst. We have been left in this earth to help others find the same. We have a tremendous gift that can only be truly enjoyed by sharing with others. The water in us is a fountain. A fountain only works if it is allowed to flow. To stop it up will only cause damage and staleness.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 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.” John 4:13-14 (NLT)

The fountain of God always seeks to flow out. It is looking to touch the thirsty. To soothe the dry parched soul. To heal the wounded. To bring spiritual wealth to those in spiritual poverty.

A few years ago on the streets of NYC I was sharing the gospel and praying for people with a team from the church I co-pastored in Queens. I will never forget an older Chinese man approaching me. He could barely speak any English but spoke enough to communicate. He looked at me grabbed my arm tightly and said “I am lonely” in a very despairing voice. He was so desperate to talk to someone.

I will never forget the look in his eyes. Living in a city of 8 million people with thousands walking by on the street yet lonely and forgotten. The irony really struck me. This man was parched to the point of almost giving up. Loneliness is a silent killer. However, we were able to pray for him and minister living water. We were also able to get him in contact with a Chinese speaking church to receive further ministry and care.

My point is we need to remember there are people around us who need the fountain. They need someone who has it to share it. They not only need it but for us to be fulfilled in our relationship with God we need to share it. Life flows in us only as we let it flow out of us. Not to share it is to deny who we are as a new creation. Not to share it is to deny someone who needs life saving water. Seems so wrong even deplorable to keep what we have freely drank to ourselves.

We have to determine every day we are going to freely share what has freely been given to us. We also need to remember every person we meet is thirsty. They may not know what they are thirsty for or why. But they are thirsty and we have the water that will make them thirst no more.