Faith: A Cold Glass of Water

Today I'm launching the series I spoke of a few weeks ago. I've been struggling with getting the first post online because of so many really silly reasons: lack a good title for the series, lack of a graphic, etc., etc. But God has been putting it on my heart to just post. So I am.

I began writing about my faith a couple of months ago more as a record for myself. I'd have these fleeting thoughts so I decided elaborating on them and chronicling them would be good for my own journey. I started a personal (private) blog where I'd jot down my thoughts. But a few weeks ago the idea to share them came into my heart + mind. I'm aware that posts on faith may lead some readers to close the window of my blog. I'm also aware that I'm not the best writer in the world or a great religious scholar. I am however a Christian who thinks it is important to share. If these posts touch even one person then sharing them (which is oh so scary) will be worth it.

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Some times I open the fridge only to find my beverage options to be a couple bottles of water. Maybe I wanted a Vitawater or a Dr. Pepper. Perhaps I was craving something fruity and flavorful and those most simple beverages seem so boring and bland.

Today I had just this experience. I'd fixed a chicken salad sandwich on white bread (felt kind of guilty about the white bread) and plain potato chips. When searching the fridge for something to drink I was not surprised to find only bottled water--I knew that was all that was there. Reluctantly I selected a bottle. Munching on my sandwich and chips was quite comforting as it was a great meal. After a few bites I twisted open my bottle of water and took a gulp. And then it hit me that although it wasn't what I'd hoped to drink with this meal it was just perfect. Icy cold and refreshing. Simple and pure.

This little happening made me think of how many times this same thing happens in life--in my life. I'm (we're) faced with an overwhelming amount of options each day. Choosing what to drink is just one of them. Many times bright packaging, tingling carbonation, and limitless flavors lead me to crave anything but a simple glass of water. Some times I'll go for the showy option. Other times I'll settle on a simple H₂O with the key word being settle. How many times though does the most simple beverage available not only quench my thirst but satisfy me beyond my expectations? Quite often.

Although aqua satisfies my libation longing more often than not, it still never manages to make "my favorite beverages" list. And even though experiences like the one I had to today happen fairly often, I am still surprised each time they occur. It's as if my brain doesn't want to believe that this simple substance can bring so much pleasure. My human mind has grown accustomed to man's struggle for happiness. "It just can't be this easy," is implanted in my mind. But it really is some times.

How often do I search and search for something to fill the voids in my life? Avoiding all the easy options that may as well slap me in the face, I seek something showy and grandiose because surely that is better than the easy, simple solutions. There has to be some benefit to pursuing the glittering prize. But like settling on water when hoping for a Coke, most times a simple pure choice can be most satisfying.

This little revelation made me think of the state of the world today. So many of us are looking for that sparkling trophy that will make us feel complete. Voids are filled with the biggest house on the block, the priciest car, the latest gadget or the handsomest husband. All of these things aren't easy to obtain. They cost money we may not have, demand financing that will consume us, or require energy that is best spent elsewhere. These lofty ambitions seem like the best option for making us happy when actually a simple, pure and easily obtainable source is the only true way. Jesus.

There is nothing more pure than our Heavenly Father. And he is easily obtainable and it is simple to find him. A simple prayer and belief itself can bring more happiness than any inanimate object. He can quench a thirst better than anything money can buy. Many people settle on The Father after searching through stores and bars for happiness, only after chasing sparkling objects. But like an icy cold bottle of water in the back corner of the fridge Jesus is always waiting. He knows that once led to this perfect glass of satisfaction nothing will ever quench your thirst quite the same ever again.

Even after sampling fizzy colas, fruity juices and sparkling sodas I know that when I am dehydrated and need to feel refreshed the only place to turn is clear, clean water. When I am down and discouraged to content my soul I must to go back to what is simple and solid: My Lord.

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On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38