Should I Still Experience Thirst After I Become a Christ Follower?
Living Beyond Sunday - Are you Thirsty? - Week 2
Should I still experience thirst after I become a Christ Follower?
When Jesus was talking to the Woman at the Well, He told her He could provide living water that would make it so that she would not thirst anymore. (John Chapter 4). What was He talking about? We began talking about this last week.
This week’s question is:
“As a Christ Follower should I be thirsty anymore?”
John 4:13 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.”
To be honest, getting rid of the earthly pursuits that leave me feeling empty has been hard. I became a follower of Jesus wholeheartedly as a 13 year old. I went ALL IN. Yet, I have pursued the things of the world because they looked good for the eyes and made me feel important. I struggled with image, so I drove lots of sports cars. I struggled with power, so I quit many jobs when my authority was challenged. I went to work for myself because the independence and power of being in charge felt good. However, all these worldly pursuits left me feeling thirsty. Soul thirsty. Momentarily, they satisfied, but after a few short moments or days or even a few years, they left me wanting more.
As a Christ Follower can I still suffer from being thirsty? I think the answer is yes. But it’s not Jesus’ fault. I am one of those people who had to learn a few things the hard way. Pursuing my desires and fleshly wants led to some hard lessons. It left me empty and wanting more. Stuff and prestige never quench the thirst. Jesus had so much more in mind for me.
John 10:10 is a verse with a reminder that I use in my life all the time.
John 10:10 (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
As a Christ Follower, I have still allowed the things of this world to tempt me away from experiencing “a rich and satisfying life”. The “fresh, bubbling spring within them” that Jesus talked about is His desire for all of us.
Are you thirsty?
What is the evidence?
How do you drink living water all day long?
Next week: Living Beyond Sunday – Are you Thirsty? Week 3 – Experiencing the “fresh, bubbling spring” of life that Jesus has for each of us.
About the Author, Jim Brangenberg
Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!