I Thirst...

With diabetes insipidus, my body does not produce enough anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). Low levels of ADH means my body does not concentrate fluids. Whatever I drink is almost instantly filtered out by my kidneys and dumped into my bladder. Even if I am dehydrated, my body continues to rid my body of fluids. With this said, I am constantly thirsty and have to be diligent about not going too long without fluids, or I become dehydrated. I always feel thirsty and thinking about water is not far from my mind. If I hear water dripping from a faucet or a toilet flush, I think, "Oh, how thirsty I am! I need to drink some water."

When going to church, my body is very thirsty from a night of dehydration. I yearn to drink a liter or two of water, but with all my willpower, I resist. If I start drinking fluids, it is very hard to stop. Also, once I start drinking fluids, I have to constantly go visit the restroom. So, I try to only sip water here and there and try very hard not to think about water.

This all goes very well until the sermon is on a very common theme in the Bible, thirsting for God's water. I try very hard to sit still and not lick my chapped, dehydrated lips. I try hard not to tear off the cap of my water bottle and guzzle down its contents. Oh, but I am so thirsty!!! As I am thinking these thoughts, I realize the point of Jesus' words, "Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13-14). Oh yes! How true those words are! No matter how much water I drink, I am thirsty a few minutes later. But the joy and comfort I have with having a relationship with Jesus carries me through each week, each day each hour.

I usually read or study the Bible 1-2 hours per day. I find Scripture provides so much wisdom and insight into my life. When I do not read the Bible, I often feel off-balanced. I am more apt to get angry or be inconsiderate and forget that I too am a habitual sinner. This spring, I had a very chaotic life. When I had time to read the Bible, my eyes were heavy with sleep. Often only a verse or two would fill my head before sleep took hold. I found myself clinging, grasping for any Scripture I could remember. If I had a moment to read one verse of Scripture, I would repeat it over and over again in my head. I crave God's Word. One verse never seemed to be enough. I wanted to tear open the Bible and read, but that option was not available to me. During this time, I understood what it was to be thirsty for God's Word. I understood what a luxury it is to have my own Bible and to be able to read it at my leisure. Due to persecution, so many Christians around the globe must hid their Bibles and read secretly. Others simply do not have access to their own Bibles. 

Since this time, I try to treasure every moment I am able to read or hear God's Word. Although I might always be physically thirsty, with Jesus I have the precious gift of everlasting water. So my friend, if you do not know Jesus, I ask that you take His invitation, "Let anyone who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17).