One challenging saying of Jesus is, “If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37,38). Obviously Jesus is NOT speaking of literal rivers, so what does Jesus give people to drink? We recall Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, when he said he could provide “living water” to drink if the woman asked for it (John 4:10). What did he mean? How can “rivers of living water” flow from the human heart? John’s gospel is a rich source of nutrients for a thirsty mind!

We ask ourselves, ‘Is my mind thirsty?’ Remember what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the mount? “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). To do that we must have a hunger and thirst of that nature, but how do we get that? Well, are you satisfied with the way you think, the things that occupy your mind? Do you go to bed at night thinking that it had been a worthwhile day spiritually?

Many people do not realize they are suffering from spiritual malnutrition. It is tragic that today so many are looking for ‘kicks’ and their lives are largely full of froth and bubble, the very opposite of “living water”. John’s Gospel shows this water is related to “the spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive” (7:39). Now this refers to more than the disciples being able to speak in other languages (Acts 2).

Paul wrote that “in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). This is the wonder of spiritual fellowship with the divine (2 Corinthians 13:14). Alongside this we must consider the words of Hebrews 6:5, that those who experienced Holy Spirit power in those days have “tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come”.

Finally, in the Bible’s last message we have God on the throne saying, “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, I will be his God and he will be my son …” (Revelation 21:6-8). How beyond imagining to have this as our heritage! Are you making progress in overcoming the polluted waters of this life? Are you thirsting for righteousness?