Simple and Thirsty

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

Dave loves popcorn.  Nearly every Sunday he has popcorn, apples and cheese…it’s just a tradition.  I was traveling last week and came upon a shop that sold dozens of different flavors of popcorn so I brought home a treat for him.  The flavor I chose was “sweet and salty”.  It probably should have been called “salty, salty, salty and a wee bit of sweet”.  It was delicious but after a handful or two he was after a second glass of water.  I didn’t think it could be that extreme so I had a handful and before I knew it, I too was chugging down the water.  I don’t remember the last time I was that thirsty.

I was thinking about that popcorn thirst this morning as Deacon Chuck read the Gospel about the woman at the well.  The story is a deep one; one with lots of avenues for reflection about our relationship with Jesus.  I realized that being thirsty is a two way deal.  I need to thirst for Jesus like I thirsted for water after a handful of that popcorn.  I love Jesus, I talk to him and I talk about him but I’m not sure I thirst for him with the same desire and almost desperation I approached that glass of water with the other night.  It’s important to remember that Jesus thirsts for us too.  It’s a lot easier to do something for someone when we know they love us and want us with them.  

During Lent, I often watch a short video that comes to my newsfeed each day from a group called Redeemed Online.  They are so good!  They give a lot of thought in just a little 3 minute video.  I showed one at Staff Morning Prayer the first week of Lent that just sticks with me.  I realize that in order to obtain the living water Jesus talked to the Samaritan Woman about, I have to be in relationship with him and I know the only way to grow that relationship is through prayer.  The video I showed had a message from a delightful Franciscan Sister who put prayer and faith in four simple steps. 

 I Can’t
 You Can
 You Promised 
 Please Do!

It has it all…I can’t means I surrender.  You can means I trust in God to act according to his will for my life. You promised means I believe you will do what’s best Father.  God is a Father of truth and goodness and devotion to his children; he is a God who keeps his promises.  Please do means I have faith that the Father will act.  He won’t abandon us or leave us in harms way;  he’s always there and I have faith that he hears and will act. 

When I think of some of the hopeless situations in Scripture this is exactly how the characters reacted.  Think about Moses facing the Red Sea or Esther faced with the dilemma of saving herself or saving her people or the woman at the well whose life was a bit twisted.  Each of them got to the point where they threw up their hands, fell to their knees and cried out to God, I can’t , you can, you promised now please do and the story that followed is one that models faith and the amazing love of the Father.  I think I’m thirsty enough to try praying this way, how about you?

A Seed To Plant:  Read John chapter 4 and study the story and ponder it this week.​

Blessings on your day!