Thirsting for God
What do I return to when I’m exhausted, uninspired or struggling? I turn to the Psalms. I definitely have a few go to psalms, like Psalm 139, and Psalm 40. Sometimes I like to randomly choose a number between 1 and 150 and then read the psalm. But today, it was a song that popped into my head that was written from the words of Psalm 42. The psalmist says:
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul…”
Did you know that deer instinctively seek running water and not stagnant pools? They are seeking life-giving waters, water that won’t make them sick. Interestingly, humans often settle for stagnant water. I think this is a metaphor for how humans move through life out of habit, and or by living in the shadow of deflection, where we hide behind distractions. Sure this water will quench our thirst for a few minutes, but it will not satisfy our deepest longings. The psalmist writes, “My soul longs for you O God!” When we are able to be open and honest about what is really going on for us, we like the psalmist can call out to God. The message I received today from God is that true life comes from living sources, not stagnant substitutes. Sure we can fill up our time with work, or with social media, funny videos on YouTube, games or other such distractions, but it doesn’t actually eliminate our deep thirst for meaning, purpose, and belonging.
This psalm is reminding us that we need to go directly to the source, the living water, to God. On Sunday we will hear the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus offers her life-giving water that will quench her thirst forever. This water is experienced and found when we are honest with God about our deepest longings and struggles. This water is found in truth. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from the animals of the world. Animals do not confuse substitutes with sources. They don’t pretend they are not thirsty, they don’t chase mirages forever. When they are thirsty they go to the water. When we are thirsty we can go directly to God! Psalm 42 ends with the words, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise God, my help, and my God.” I invite you to call out to God from your deepest longing, and may this prayer bring you hope.
Living God, you know the deep thirst within us - the quiet longing beneath our busy lives, the ache for meaning, connection and love. Lift our thirst beyond the shallow wells we often return to. Turn our hearts toward the living water you offer. Where we have tried to satisfy our souls with things that fade, draw us back to your deeper spring. Quench our spirits with your grace. Let your living water rise within us - renewing our hope, softening our hearts, and flowing outward in compassion for the world. Amen.
Blessings, Rev. Karen