“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.“

Isaiah 55:1-3

I remember so well the day that I hit rock bottom! My pain was great and my value was so depleted. I was sinking all of my money and energy into the one thing that made it all go away. But the bitter taste of gambling not only gave me false hope, but it gave me a false identity too. (You all may not know that I was proud to be called the Queen of Hearts)! And as much as I wanted to give it up, I couldn’t bear to lose that connection that fulfilled the thirst inside. A thirst for relief, comfort, love, and value.

But on that day, I can’t even explain why, my ears were wide open when I cried out to God, and for some reason, I listened. I listened as God promised to turn my pain into something beautiful. He promised that He would bring me the strength to let go of what brought me shame and guilt in exchange for His unfailing love. But I had to give it to Him. I had to let him fulfill my thirst instead of turning to the world.

When I agreed, He did just that! He brought me strength to let it go! He completely changed my desire to want to gamble by replacing it with His Heart.

I’m not saying it was easy as pie – but it sure tasted as good as pie to my Spirit. The victory of overcoming the shame and guilt of gambling, also brought the beauty of freedom. A freedom that this Queen could not even fathom.

I will say though, I’m still proud to be the Queen of Hearts. But these hearts aren’t at the poker table. These hearts are on the cross. The cross where Jesus’ heart gave way for mine.

As Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). As he suffered, he embodied the pain of our sins. He was thirsty, yet all the world had to give him was sour wine. But He knew that relief was near. He knew that the beauty of His glorification was coming and He knew that because of His suffering, we would be set free. He thirsted for His Father who was bringing Him back home.

There is so much goodness in what Jesus did for us. Sometimes we graze through this Easter season without giving a thought to what’s next. But the good news is that because Jesus was thirsty, we can come to his table. We can eat the bread that is good and drink wine and fresh milk! His grace and mercy uniquely satisfies all that we need and once we fill ourselves with His elements, we will find beauty and freedom that we never knew existed.

What are you thirsty for today? Go to Jesus with your ears wide open and listen! He offers Life! He offers Love! He offers Freedom! He offers a home that is far better than any place we could build on our own. And His offer is free. All you have to do is say yes.

#SaturdaySoulSearch