Devotionals

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Got Thirst?
© 2005

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Since returning to the United States, there are times I wake up in the middle of the night with memories of an Iraqi summer. I recall extremely hot afternoons when I walked from one office building to another to get to unit briefings or conferences. Just weeks before I was scheduled to return home to the United States, I remember him—a young Iraqi teenage boy looking for something in trash cans. He seemed to have come out of nowhere, 13 maybe 14 years old, I guessed.

The dry, hot weather had seared the Iraqi landscape such that crops had failed and now whole families searched for water to quench their thirsts. I eyed this young man searching for something in trash cans. What could he be looking for? As I came closer, I could see that he was searching for bottles—water bottles in particular.

“What are you doing, young man?” I asked.

“Water. Water. Want water.” he said in very broken English.

“How did you get here? Where did you come from?”

“Soldiers let me in. Need water!”

This teenage looking boy labored with his words. His tongue swollen with thirst. Every day of my life, water was something that flowed magically everywhere I went throughout the United States by just turning the handle of a faucet. By turning on my faucet, I could splash water on my face, push a button and wash my clothes or turn on a quart of water to wet my toothbrush, unconscious acts I took for granted.

Seeing this young man I gave him a bottle of water. Shaking and with tears of disbelief, he turned the plastic up and drank every drop of water without letting a single drop hit the ground.

After recalling this scene months later, I recalled the miracle and presence of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, as living water actually refreshing my mind with a new clarity being near the area where He had been born, lived, died and rose again. For the very first time in my life. I understood the meaning of Christ’s presentation to the woman at Jacob’s well when He told her and us that He is the Living Water. I came to understand those who search in the trash cans of the world looking for the water of life and coming up short. Jesus—clean, fresh, thirst quenching and everlasting water is a great deal more refreshing for those who thirst. He is an endless source that does not demand you come but welcomes you to make a free choice. Honestly!!! Jesus, I’ve found, is a great thirst quencher!!

Tired? Confused? Thirsty? There He is!! Enjoy! Pause and refreshing yourself not just for now but forever! Drink deeply!!

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