The Last Half-Gallon of Water
All he wanted to see were some ancient rock paintings. But a simple, seemingly short, hike in the desert to see the paintings unexpectedly became a life and death situation. Jared didn't realize the strange effect the desert heat was having on him until he spotted a bird that appeared enormous compared to its closest relative. At that point, he realized that he was having heat hallucinations, and he hurriedly decided to get back to base. Taking his wife, Marie, with him they walked as fast as possible.
"...we concentrated on listening to our breathing, calculating the distance to the next landmark, and estimating the remaining time. My mouth and tongue were now dry, and Marie's face was red. When we at last reached the air-conditioned ranger station, we sagged into chairs next to the water cooler, drank down the cooler's last half-gallon of water, and asked the ranger for another bottle." (from "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond)
They thought that they had brought enough water with them, but soon they ran out. And, when they got to the ranger station, they downed the "last half-gallon".
In many ways, we can relate to this story. Sometimes we feel like life is going along fine, and then WHAM-O! before you realize it, you're thirsty and in definite need of refreshing. That's where a relationship with Jesus comes in handy. Jesus calls himself "the living water". (John 4:10) He compares the water we are used to with the water He provides when He says:
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13, 14.
When Jesus calls himself a "spring" that means His water never runs out. It will always bubble. You will never down "the last half-gallon", because it will flow eternally. For those of us who may not have ever tasted this water, you can taste it right now for the first time by swallowing Jesus, the living water and letting Him into your soul. For those of us who have tasted, why not taste Him every day for the rest of your life by quenching your thirst on His life-giving words? I guarantee you'll feel refreshed, your life renewed, knowing "there's always more where that came from."
"Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:17b