The Living Water
Are you satisfied?
Drinking Salt Water
Sunday I preached on the woman at the well. She sought a solution to her material problems, namely her physical thirst and the labor of getting water every day from Jacob’s well. Jesus had to correct her thinking, that the water He offered was of far greater value and significance because it satisfied the thirst of our souls.
The day before I had my very first ever opportunity to street preach. I joined RBC at Autzen Stadium during the Duck’s first home game. The event itself was amazing. Thousands of people funneling to the stadium to cheer and shout together. No doubt many souls went into that place for their thirst to be satisfied. Seeking a drink from something that would bring relief to their thirst or distract them from a parched soul.
Augustine is famous for saying that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. We are by our very nature dissatisfied in this life when Christ is not satisfying the restlessness in our hearts. In our restlessness we manufacture idols and purchase snake oil to calm our nerves. In fact, I spotted just today one solution to the anxious hearts of our city. See below.
What do you feel when you see this? An event where you are invited to simply scream into the air because of the state of the world. While on its face it’s humorous, the reality is that it’s remarkably honest.
The natural conclusion of a life dissatisfied is simply to flail. To expel the aimless sensations of a senseless and unfeeling world. Ironically, screaming into nothing is itself absurd, because nothing is listening. It’s pure catharsis. It makes you feel a little better until the pressure builds so much you do it again. These are thirsty hearts who have swallowed salt water, only to be met with a greater thirst than before and a growing frustration at their heart needs being unmet.
The saddest part about this is that there is one listening. The triune God of Scripture is listening. The only God who can do anything about our hollowed out hearts. The only God who can stay our hand from shoving anything we can reach into the hole there. The only God who offers the living water freely to all who believe.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
- Psalm 145:18
Two groups of people are calling out. One into the void. The other into the lost masses to guide them to Christ. One will result in absolutely nothing. The other will result in the lost sheep hearing the voice of their Good Shepherd and coming to Him to find life.
So what are you seeking your satisfaction in today? Is it the salt water this world offers or the living water only Christ offers?
SUNDAY SERMON
Sunday we watched Jesus navigate a difficult situation as our model for evangelism. Overcoming cultural prejudices and objections to bring transformation to a whole community.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for Linda as she recovers from her back surgery. The initial surgery was not successful. She will learn more this week about what’s next.
Praise Report: Katie’s baby was born 34 weeks, Sylvie made quick progress getting off oxygen and is now nursing well! NICU will be a few weeks but we are grateful God saw fit to keep both baby and mother healthy.
Pray for our upcoming local association (WVBA) meeting. It’s our annual meeting.
