I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35, NIV)
Every day, I see so many hungry, thirsty people around me…And I can really relate.
Hey, I get hungry! I get thirsty! I’m constantly reminded that I need the love, care and companionship of my Creator…It’s that crazy cycle I get caught up in that does it every time. I step away from Him, distracted by the busyness of life and the urgency of the needs around me, until at some point I look up and wonder why something inside me feels so hollow and parched…And then I’m driven again, to find the “green pastures” and sit with the One who is the Bread of Life and the Giver of Living Water…To be humbled by the helplessness of complete exposure. To be loved and to love, if only for a brief, few, extraordinary minutes before vvvvvvvvt…There go my thoughts, and I’m distracted again!
Nonetheless, I love coming back from my desert place…But my heart breaks for those who have never known this relief—the peace of being where you were always meant to be.
And so I pray, for those who are hungry and parched, turning around in circles wondering which direction they should take…And I ask God boldly and persistently to give them an unmistakable glimpse of Himself…I mean, we’ve all been there. It’s hard to walk towards God when you’re not sure which direction you’re facing, nor where He is, exactly. And I ask Him to show them His astonishing mercy, to put up all the necessary road signs to turn them around…I cling to the notion that He wants this more than I do; that these insightful, creative, funny and passionate lives were meant to be eternal.
And while I’m thinking of things to DO to speed up the process, God reminds me that my job is the share; He is quite capable of the show.
Which brings me to my mid-February verse, and another Scripture Memory Challenge post:
Charlene Neuman
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44, NIV
I love the image of our Father drawing us in, like two friends leaning into an irresistible conversation…And I will ask Him again and again for the mercy of this posture–before an unbelieving generation who don’t deserve it.
Well, because neither do I.
Join our Scripture Memory Challenge–even if you’re not on a Westheights Kids Team…It’s never too late! As a way of nudging each other on, post your verse, or verses, in the Comment Section below. Include your name (if you’d like) your verse, the reference and translation. (See the format I used above.) During Immerse, you’ll see a blog entry every 2 weeks, instead of monthly. For more info on the what and why of this adventure, click here.