Jesus Promises Living Water
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) -John 7:37-39You know, I think Gandhi had it right. Especially when we look at the scripture that follows. Jesus talked about what it might look like to be spirit filled and spirit led. He describes it as 'rivers of living water' that will 'flow from his heart'. Amazing! However, when you take a step back and examine your own life...do you see that your life, your daily words and actions flow with this abundance?
If not, I think we need to look at some more scripture and peel away the many layers that protect the 'real' us from others, ourselves, and God. By now, we should all know that we're not fooling anyone-especially not God. The texts I'd like us to really read and marinate on are from Matthew and John. While the scripture from John brings this all together (and we've already read it-in the above), we need two more pieces to this puzzle/pie. In Matt. 6:19:34 we find Jesus talking about money and possessions and in Matt. 13:44-46 He talks about hidden treasure.
After reading the two pieces in Matthew a word should jump out at you. Do you know what it is? The word is treasure. Now, we're not pirates, but we do have a tendency to seek out that which isn't ours or that which isn't even needed in our everyday life. In fact, the majority of the time, once we've attained it, the thrill or excitement is gone and we end up never using whatever it is for very long or end up forgetting about it. *Very fitting since we just got done opening Christmas presents huh?
I think this 'treasure' we seek at times isn't of the spiritual nature-it isn't something that will bring us peace or true happiness. Rather, I think what we seek to often leaves us feeling empty inside. So think about that 'treasure' you seek-fill in the blank: I seek _______
It could be love, it could be money, it could be a restored relationship, or it could be healing from brokenness (both from our own doing and others causing us pain). But I think we all, as Christians need a restored relationship with our creator. A portion from Matt. 6 that always gets me is 'Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' Whenever I read it, I get this feeling that I'm unworthy and sometimes I even feel ashamed. While many would be shocked I feel that way, it's the truth and I think too many of us are in denial about our true needs in life. I know that I treasure things here on this earth more than I do God and it saddens me. I know we all struggle with it, but how sad is it that God doesn't get enough of our time and our hearts?
My challenge for you is to dig deep and to take a serious look at your life. I know I'm not the only one who struggles with this...we all do. I just hope that one day I will once again be as eager as that man in the parable from Matt. 13-he was so excited at what he found/had, he gave everything up just to keep it. What do you wish to keep?
1 comment:
I think this is very fitting. I have been thinking about this myself lately. I actually was going to purchase a lil machine thingy that makes lables. I was going to use it for scrapbooking and labeling some of our new containers so we can find things when we need them instead of going out and buying things when we already have it because we can't locate it. But after reading this, I don't need it, I don't need a lot of things. So I will be using the computer for that, plus it has way more different lettering than the hand-held machine I wanted. I also find it relevant about our Christmas presents and when we do get new "treasures" we do tend to forget about them within the first year, if that. I to am guilty for all that was mentioned in your blog, I feel horrible to and guilty, and ashamed because I am NOT representing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and his Father. And that's not who I am. I to need to peel away my layers as well, I know I can't and don't hid from God, but I hide from others sometimes. So thank you again for another heart felt blog, it was REALLY good!
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