The Hungering and Thirsting

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink 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

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34

“As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 42:1

“Taste and see that the LORD is good…” Psalm 34:8

Have you ever wanted something so badly, it seemed like you would do anything to get it? What happened when you finally got it? I think of a child in November walking through the toy department pointing out to his parents all the new toys he wants for Christmas. Yet those objects that brought so much joy and excitement on December 25 tend to lose some appeal by mid January. They are old toys. They have been played with, now it is time to move on.

What about that prize that is more precious and meaningful than all the others? I was privileged enough to have met the love of my life while in high school. When we first started dating, everything was new and exciting. We both tried our best to impress the other in hopes of making the other fall in love. Those were fun times. But if you ask me now, over four years later, if I feel the same way, the answer would be a definite “no.” I feel better than I did back then. I love her more than I thought possible while in high school.

I am still excited about seeing her. I miss her dearly when I go for a day or more without being around her. I still try to impress her and make her love me, even though I already won her. I am both filled and yet desiring to be filled with her and her love. Our feelings for each other grow stronger with every moment we spend together, yet the desire to experience each other also grows more intense every time we part ways.

I believe this is how God wants our relationship to be with him. The brilliant author A.W. Tozer words it this way, “To have found God and still to pursue him is the soul’s paradox of love.” (Pursuit of God)

St. Bernard also states in lyrical form, as quoted by Tozer,

“We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still:
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.”

Do you long for a relationship with the Sovereign Lord and Creator? I sure hope so. He desires our companionship so incredibly that he sent his only Son down to this earth as a sacrifice in our behalf so that by believing in Him we might have opportunity to live with him eternally in heaven. Relationship is at the heart of the gospel. Following Christ is intended to parallel a relationship between the bridegroom and his bride, and there is nothing mechanical or formulaic about a love story.

In his first epistle, Peter indicates that it is impossible to mature in our saving relationship with Christ until we have tasted the goodness of the Lord. So please, take a bite. Have a sip. You’ll want more, I promise.

Are you hungry?

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