John 7:37-53 | What is the lesson for me today?

Just as the invitation was extended to them, so the invitation is also extended to me. A convicting question occurs to me. Before I share the question, I want to highlight the prerequisite that Jesus establishes. He does not say, "Anyone who comes to me will flow rivers of living water." He gives two strong requirements. First, they must thirst. Second, they must come and drink.

We live in Flagstaff, Arizona so we know a bit of what it means to be thirsty. We get those dry days and we get those hot days. When those days hit, it is hard not to drink water. I feel like I am chugging it. There are other days where it is not so dry and it is not so hot. On those days, I can almost forget entirely to drink. I still need water, but I don't thirst for it as I should. Sometimes, it is easier to quench my thirst with things other than water. I miss the benefit of what my body is asking for by giving it some kind of substitute. These things are physical examples of spiritual realities.

Here is the question: Do I thirst?

This requires a bit more meditation than just a simple yes or no. I encourage really taking prayerful time on this as to whether or not I am truly thirsting. If I am, then I have the answer on whom I must run to. If I am not, the second question comes up.

What am I drinking from?

I don't want to be a soda addicted Christian. When I was in cross-country back in High School, it was stressed to me not to drink soda. If I did, I could become heavily dehydrated and it would also lead to shin splints. Can you think of why a runner might not want shin splints? It would hinder their ability to run! As a believer, if we are taking in something other than Christ, we can hinder our ability to run the race set before us. So I need to consider two things. Do I thirst and from what do I drink? I should hunger and thirst for righteousness, and I should run to Christ as my source.

What lesson are you taking away from this passage?