Hydor... for a Parched and Dusty Soul

John 14:4:  "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.

Today as I was reading my devotional from The Daily Bread (one of my favorites), they highlighted John 14:4 and spoke of Jesus, and the Living Water He offers us… we, who pant with parched souls of longing (Psalm 42:1-2).

When I awoke this morning the desiccated air from the home heater made my face, hands and throat arid… tight and almost painful.  I literally doused myself with lotion and moisturizer to alleviate the dehydrated-old-kitchen-sponge-like layers of epidermis cells tightening around my bones.  I gazed out the window and watched as rains continued to pour down, having begun their watery dance last night, gently tapping out a pitter-pat window pane lullabye.

Here I stood inside a fortress of concrete and humidity-barren heat, surrounded by water… and dry as a bone. 

Far too often I must confess this scene has been a visual depiction of my spiritual life.  I am surrounded by Christ, Who offers me “hydor” – the Greek word for water in John 4:14.  Hydor, waters of the deluge, water out of and through which the world that was before the flood.  Hydor, from which is easily seen the root for the word hydrate.  My hard and crusty soul sits ready to crack from lack of the spiritual stream of Living Water right within my reach.  I can drink and bathe and soak in Christ, immersed in His word, swimming in His love if only I will seek Him and come to Him.  He beckons me to dive in and be utterly saturated.

But instead, I smile and wave and run past – “Oh sorry, Christ, slept late… too busy.. things to do.  I’ll pray to You in the car as I commute, okay?”  Or, “I’ll catch You at bedtime prayers (which are interrupted or circumvented by my dropping into bed, barely enough energy to turn out the light, let alone read and pray).”  I trudge along in my daily dusty desert, increasingly worn and soul-thirsty, wondering why I feel so dry inside. 

Today I stepped outside and allowed the rain to wash over me, droplets splashing over my welcoming upturned face.  Today I stopped everything, and allowed His Living Water to hydrate my being, until I was spirit-logged and soul-soaked.  I am softened… I am satisfied... I am quenched... by My Jesus.