2. The Devotional Life - Thirsting for God

By the second day of a backpacking trip with two friends in the southern reaches of Grand Teton National Park, I found myself up high in the hills on the backside of those majestic peaks with our supply of clean water almost run out. We began looking for a fresh source. The year had been dry, so many of the streams and creeks that should have provided fresh water were dry or underground. We were going eight to 12 miles a day, mostly uphill, above ten thousand feet, and carrying 40 pounds of provisions. The air was thin and we were parched. We prayed for God to supply our need.

Around noon, we were hiking close to the tree line—that point on a mountain where the trees can no longer grow because of cold or lack of water—when we noticed in the heights beyond us a thunderstorm moving quickly in our direction. At first we heard no sound but the breeze blowing through the pines. But then we heard another distinct sound, the trickle and splash of water. We moved toward the sound, and soon rounded a rock outcropping to find a flow of water cascading down a previously dry creek bed. The high country storm had released enough rain to reinvigorate the creek. We had more than enough water to replenish our bottles.

Throughout Scripture the metaphor of thirst is used to describe the core of our spiritual need, the longings of our hearts. While men and women often try to quench their thirst with other things, the Christ follower learns that there is only one true source of living water able to satiate that longing. Recall the words of Jesus at the great feast in Jerusalem as He revealed who He is and what He provides for those who put their hope in Him: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37,38).

Personal time with God, to me, is like that stream in the dry places of our lives. In the midst of the “rock and dust” of life—and even the “lush vegetation” of God’s blessings—He is Life (with a capital “L”). I value “soaking” in Him and His Word every day, in the early morning and late at night. Connecting with Him and remembering His eternal perspectives is like a cool, refreshing drink that quenches the longings of my heart.

A portion of this article is taken from my book Making Waves.

Doug Nuenke serves as U.S. president of The Navigators and leads with a fervor that comes from a continually growing relationship with God. Doug came to faith at Texas Christian University where he also he met his wife, Pam. Doug is an ordained pastor and received both his master’s and doctorate degrees from Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. He and Pam came on staff with The Navigators in 1992 to work with college students. Before taking the role of president, Doug led the Metro Mission, The Navigators work in U.S. cities.