True Satisfaction

Who can deny that food and holidays go together? Thanksgiving is no exception. Spending time with dear family members can only be made sweeter by a table laden with food. My mouth is already watering in anticipation of all the delectable things that will make up the Thanksgiving Day feast.

I imagine myself loading my plate with all kinds of goodies - pumpkin pie topped with real whipped cream, just a sliver of the pecan pie, and oh, I can't pass by the apple bread without having just a little. A dessert connoisseur's dream. But in this dream of mine, something is missing. Food that will truly nourish my body. If my plate is loaded solely with sweets, it'll only be a matter of time before my body craves what it really needs - proper nutrients. You know, the ones found in the turkey, green beans, squash, and cranberry relish, also on the table.

When fueled with the appropriate balance of food, my body is able to function properly. The problem: sometimes I fall prey to eating the things that sound good to me, rather than those that are good for me.

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without taking time to reflect on the past year's blessings. However, in a rush to finish cleaning the house, prepare the mid-day meal, and welcome family, I sometimes leave out what I really need - time spent with my Savior; praising Him for His goodness. Time allowing Him to orchestrate my days in such a way that balance is restored during a time that tends to get chaotic.

Consider the beautiful metaphor spoken by Jesus himself, "I am the the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst," (John 6:35). Sweets cannot satisfy my body's hunger, neither can my soul be satisfied in living a life apart from Christ.

As you get together with friends and family this year, and put the finishing touches on your Thanksgiving Day feast, remember to make plenty of room for what will truly satisfy - the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are! Thank You for the blessings you pour out in my life. Help me to enjoy a time of worshiping and praising You this Thanksgiving - remembering that it IS all about You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!


A re-post from 11/2011

Watering Holes & Living Water

We saw them. They were huge, majestic. We came around a bend in the road, and there they were. Elephants. A large herd coming to a watering hole for some refreshment. A mother warthog with babies in tow, cautiously joined them. A bat eared fox wasn't far behind.

The watering hole served different purposes. Some animals came for a drink, while others bathed in its cloudy depths. Although their needs may have been varied, one thing was clear, the animals were drawn to the water.

As I marveled at the amazing creatures a stones' throw from our vehicle, I was reminded of the water that's necessary in my life - Living Water. Thoughts of a well in Samaria came to mind. A well where townspeople came to draw water necessary for their everyday lives. A well where Jesus sat one day.

A Samaritan woman came to the well, as she'd done every day that week. Only today was different. A man was sitting at the well. A Jewish man. Unusual, but the woman went about her task of collecting water in her pot, knowing that local custom would prevent the man from speaking to her anyway.

When his voice reached her ears, she all but dropped her water pot. What had he said? Her mind processed his words carefully, "Give me to drink, " (John 4:7b; KJV). She was so shocked, she blurted out a response without thinking, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans," (John 4:9).

The man's answer was puzzling. According to the statement he made, he must be someone important, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water," (John 4:10).

How could he dip water out of the well without a tool? Did he think he was greater than the patriarch Jacob who dug the well in the first place? Once again, his answer seemed like a riddle, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up in to everlasting life," (John 4:13-14).

Now that sounded like a good deal! Never having to draw water again. Never being thirsty. She was ready to accept this man's offer...until he told her to go get her husband and come back. The truth tumbled out of her mouth, "I have no husband," (John 4:17a). The man's next words made her breath catch in her throat. "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly," (John 4:17b-18).

He had to be a prophet. How else could he know the sordid truth about her past and her present? He seemed to know everything about her. Who was this man? Maybe he could tell her what she could do to please God. She shared her thoughts, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things," (John 4:25).

She wasn't prepared for his response. "I that speak unto thee am he," (John 4:26). Jesus. The man who had been talking to her was Jesus, the Messiah! The One who knew all about her sins, and loved her anyway.

She was ready to repent. She now understood what he meant by 'living water.' When she put her faith in him, he satisfied the needs of her soul for a Savior.

What about you? Are you still looking for something to satisfy your soul's 'thirst'? Look no further than Jesus Christ, the Messiah - the Living Water.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)