Wednesday, January 11, 2006

No Longer Thirsty

In the song “Better Days” by Bruce (no last name required), he says this, “Well my soul checked out missing as I sat listening to the hours and minutes tickin’ away. Yeah, just sittin’ around waitin’ for my life to begin while it was all just slippin’ away. I’m tired of waitin’ for tomorrow to come or that train to come roarin’ ’round the bend.” It’s the expression of a man frustrated by waiting and wanting to see better days.

My remarks last week were not to hammer on us for not doing what we should. But I wanted us to consider the perspective of the woman at the well and that of Jesus. The woman’s perspective was a desire to avoid the work of coming and drawing. But Jesus was not offering what she thought. His perspective was that of offering life. His purpose was for her life to offer life to others.

That is why, when she said, “Sir, give me this water.” that he asked her to go get her husband. It was all about perspective. Jesus was looking at her need from God’s point of view. He didn’t see a Samaritan woman but a person that God loved.

You see, when I look at the circumstances of my life and I say, “Give me this water.” I’m wanting better days. I must admit that I haven’t a clue what God’s perspective is other than it is broader than mine and that calls me to ruthless trust. I’m not very good at ruthless trust, but it’s the call nonetheless. Jesus offers us life with the intention that through that life we will offer living water to others.

When we drink the living water it becomes obvious to others. They see it, desire it and are drawn to it. We refresh and inspire others by living above the circumstances of our lives. You will meet someone today who is longing for living water and better days. It’s only through Christ that we can say, “I’m no longer thirsty and these are better days.” Let me know what you think.

Michael Taylor

3 comments:

RK said...

I wish I could have seen the look on your face!

I think I'm a lot like the lady at the well. When Jesus is doing major, heavy, life altering, reality shattering, off the chain examples in my life, I am only in his presence cause I am in line for donuts or something equally innane. And instead of realizing the depth of his love and the meaning of his sacrifice, I am excited that there are chocolate donuts with sprinkles.

I am not saying that I don't seek to know God. And I don't mean to say that I don't have moments of clarity and enlightenment, cause I like to think I do, but it seems like I "get it" later on.

And to toss one out there, is it more than "getting the water" that shows others we are different? I mean, If people see us "going to the well" then of course they will know we have something. (A lot of people that go to church and do "churchy stuff" are Christians)But I think it is more than that. And that is where I get hung up sometimes.

RK said...

Bruce "no name.."? Bruce who?

The Telemicus Files said...

gibor... if you have the living water, you dont have to go and draw anymore. its in there. if our spiritual life is only "churchy stuff" then we are still "going" and "drawing" and thus dont have living water at all. ps. (springsteen)