Wednesday 3 February 2016

Yearning... Embracing My Need to Drink Richly of God


I have a secret! It's kind of embarrassing really. I mean, I should know better. 

But... oh well, here goes...

Sometimes, when I'm thirsty... I eat. There... now I've said it. 

I know it doesn't make sense. 

I mean, I know what thirst feels like. I know the mouth-drying, low energy, headachy fatigue of thirst. 

I also know that water is essential for my health; it removes toxins, helps fight infections, raises my energy level and promotes a healthy heart.

I know that daily I should replenish this life-sustaining liquid. 

I know this.

So why then, when I feel thirsty, do I reach for some cookies... some chips...popcorn, anything, anything but water? 

And, it gets worse... not only do I snack when I'm thirsty, but I keep reaching for more and more and... more (as my widening hips would attest).

It's no wonder... 

I haven't addressed my thirst.

Yes, I know; I don't really relish the taste of water much... and the frequent, inconvenient trips to the washroom, who likes that? 

But...

I yearn for its life-giving, cleansing properties.

 Isn't it like that with the word of God?

We know the symptoms of our thirst... life is overwhelming... doubts, fear and worry besiege us... 

the insatiable desire to have more... be more consumes us...

so we keep on searching... seeking to be filled... yearning for that which satisfies.

While, all the while, God is there and He promises to 'supply every need of [ours] according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4:19)

So, what are we to do? 

'Face God in prayer and silence, and God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. 

It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that God can fill you with Himself.' (Mother Teresa)

Ouch!

Yes, wrestling with God's truths can be uncomfortable and seeing our tainted reflections can be unsettling... but God promises a filling... and a washing and in that washing there is LIFE.  

So, today I choose to drink deeply... expectantly.

I choose to seek God in silence, 'because if [my] heart is full of other things, [I] cannot hear the voice of God'. (Mother Teresa)

I choose to sip thirstily from His word. 

I choose to savor... my time with Him, and the grace showers He so freely gives...

and I choose to share... in my words... and in my living, the refreshing that fills my thirsty soul.  

'They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;  
And You give them drink from your river of delights.  
For with You is the fountain of life.'  
(Psalm 36: 8-9)


What about you?  

Where are you filling your cup today? 

Are you filling up on the world's distractions?

Or are you choosing to 'dwell lovingly in God's presence?





To the thirsty around you... 

are you a waterless spring



15 comments:

  1. Oh how I long to be the well-watered garden, but I'm afraid I'm more often the waterless spring -- dried up by too many worries and concerns. Thank you, Carlie for pointing me back to the source -- the One who can fully quench my thirst. Love this!

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  2. Thanks, Marva! Here's to drinking richly together!

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  3. This is something I've also realized about myself; however, I allow things to get in the way of drinking richly from God, from being silent and still, listening.

    Thank you for the reminder.

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    1. Yes, Tammy, I know how hard it is to be silent in this noisy world. I needed the reminder, too. Praying for you today.

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  4. What a lovely analogy. It's funny I was just reading in my Bible study today about our thirst and how only the Word of God will quench it.

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

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  5. Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer. By using my 'one word' for 2016 - THIRSTY, God is already teaching me so much about our need for him. Blessings to you as you continue to drink richly of His word.

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  6. Your post inspires me to let physical thirst remind me to quench my spiritual thirst. Physical reminders and illustrations are so helpful for me to keep my mind remembering what is best.

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    1. That is it exactly, Ginger! Every time I'm thirsty, I should stop and think of my spiritual thirst as well. I love how God is using my one word 'thirsty' to teach me so much. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. So true! If our hearts are filled with other things, we won't be able to hear (to listen) to the voice of the Father. I often find myself doing "things" instead of listening ...

    Thanks for sharing at the Loft!

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  8. Carlie, thank you for linking up at The Loft today. Our prompt is LISTEN. Your post reminds me that we must listen for God's voice and drink deeply when He speaks.

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    1. Leah, when I wrote this post, I was feeling the need to close out the noises of this world and just listen to God. I hope it wasn't too much of a stretch for your prompt. Thanks for hosting The Loft; I really enjoy visiting.

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  9. I love your anology! I too often find myself in the same situations! THere are times when I sit down to nurse the kids and I *could* put on an audio Bible or worship music, but all too often I just put on an old tv show. Thanks for sharing. Great food for thought!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by. So thankful that the message spoke to you. May God bless you as you continue to drink richly of Him.

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