To the River

 [photo by Alex Byrum]

Has it really been 10 days since I last opened my bible? Since I really sat in the presence of the Lord with my heart spilled out? My heart can feel it and my brain knows it. No wonder I'm believing lies because I'm not surrounded by truth. I forgot that I'm the beloved and we must not forget the most important piece of truth relevant to our freedom.

At this point in time, I have no money (surprise) and I am hungry for something to fill me (no mom I'm not starving I promise, it's a metaphor). In Isaiah, the Lord asks them to come home. He calls out to me in it too.

Come, everyone who thirsts, 

come to the waters; 

and He who has no money, 

come, buy and eat! 

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

Isaiah 55:1

Let's start at the word everyone. That's me, that's you. It doesn't exclude anyone. All can come. Because what human being doesn't thirst? In some form or fashion, we all thirst for more. Then, before anyone has a chance to say, "I'm not enough" or "I don't have any money," He quickly says, "AND he who has no money, come."

So everyone, despite their heart, can come to the waters. But he doesn't stop at come. He wants us to buy and eat. To buy means the giving of something (usually money). I think He's asking us to give ourselves over to Him and eat until we are full. How can we buy these things if we have no money? Don't worry, He answers that later.

Before He does, He goes into more details on things waiting for you at the waters. Come, buy wine and milk. By giving of yourself, you not only gain complete satisfaction, but you experience the sacred (wine) and the ordinary (milk) in one moment. In other words, you can walk through an ordinary day yet be completely enveloped by the presence of God making everything you do an act of worship and praise.

And you gain all those things you're wanting: total satisfaction, JOY in the mundane, and the eternal promise of no expectations by a father who just wants you to come.

Everyone who thirsts. 

No matter what you have.

Give yourself to me

and you will be full

and have abundant joy

oh, and it won't cost you a thing

Because I love you and I want to know you. 

So  L E T  M E  I N . 

Come to the river. 

EM