Last week, I had the incredible privilege of leading Bible classes on a Christian Fellowship ministry cruise to the Western Caribbean. It was truly a ministry highlight for me! Our group of 46 expanded as God led more folks on board to attend with each successive class.
As we sailed toward our first destination of Montego Bay, Jamaica, I pondered that vast expanse of ocean. There was no land in sight as far as the eye could see in any direction. Water, water everywhere ... but not a drop to drink. We were surrounded by salt water that would never hydrate us. Water that would leave us thirsty. Water that would never satisfy. Water that would put us in life-threatening danger if ingested in high quantities.
Isn't that like our culture today? We're surrounded by the things of this world that many believe will satisfy our soul's every need. But those things leave our soul thirsty. Slowly but surely dehydration sets in. We strive to quench that thirst with anything and everything in sight. Things like technology and overindulgence. Obsession and lust. Workaholism and alcoholism. We ingest high quantities of these poor substitutes and find ourselves in dire circumstances.
A life-giving, thirst-quenching relationship with the Wellspring of Life is the only source of hydration that relieves our soul thirst. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14).
Jesus provides living water for our parched souls. The world dehydrates us. Our Savior takes joy in providing soul hydration: "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).
If you're feeling parched and dehydrated, His wellspring of life gushes forth to quench your soul thirst. Jesus is waiting for you at the well.
