Tag: <span>thirsty soul</span>

The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17

My new friend texted and asked, “Would you like to come over for brunch on Sunday?” The invitation was the preface to a choice. Would we accept or decline?

When an invitation is polite, it softens the words and leaves the invitation open. Without politeness the words may sound like a strident command. For instance, “Please come over” has a much gentler tone than, “Come over here!”

Is it possible that many commands of Jesus are also invitations?  I’m beginning to think so.

In John 15:4a Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” It’s an invitation to come be an integral part of a family, to take up space because a space has been made for you. You are invited to settle down securely and be at home with Jesus and, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

It’s also an invitation to be part of a life-giving system. In John 15:4 Jesus goes on to say, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” This is an invitation to spiritual vitality and effectiveness.

The invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” is coupled with the command, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). What? A yoke? Who needs that? Yet it’s the yoke that symbolizes the connection. It is the reminder that we are in this with God rather than striving alone, carrying burdens that are too heavy for us.

What is Jesus inviting you to today? Will you drink from His thirst-quenching supply? Live with him? Bear fruit and experiencing rest?

Lord Jesus Christ, I am thirsty, hungry, and tired of trying to do life on my own. Will you please help me accept your invitations and follow the directives I find in them?

By Sue Braid

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Prayer: Drought in our life

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit”.  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Following after Jesus does not mean that Christians will never experience drought, desert times when the soul longs for green oases and overflowing wells. Weary from the pursuit of Saul, Shepherd King David cried out to God, “I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

But just as towels best absorb water when they are totally dry, so can our thirsty souls best absorb the water of life as we empty ourselves of sin and distractions, faithfully continue sitting in the presence of God, meditating on his words, awaiting the refreshing rain that will eventually come.

It’s easy to become preoccupied with the lack of spiritual moisture, to become “bothered by the heat and worried by long months of drought.” But we find comfort in the promise that even during these seemingly interminable times, God continues to produce fruit in and through us. A clue to living successfully through these times is given by David, “I will praise you as long as I live…with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” (Psalm 63) This is praise even in the desert, what one writer called the sacrifice of praise. A sacrifice accepted and honored by our Heavenly Father who knows best when to send rain.

Father, the drought seems long and the dryness deep. Help me endure by trusting in you, by claiming you as my hope and confidence.  Thank you, too, for producing fruit in and through me even when I don’t recognize the crop.

By Marilyn Ehle

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