22 April 2013 - past yourself

22 April 2013 - past yourself

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

We drink from so many streams which leave us thirsty.  We recognize that only God can sate this thirst of ours.  No earthly stream can help.  They weary us with the false promise of refreshment that they cannot provide.  If we want to find our way to streams of living water which can truly satisfy us then we must search in the pastures of the Good Shepherd.

I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.

The water for which we thirst is actually the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

‘John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 

He wants to fill us in a way which is so profound that even onlookers can tell it is happening.  It isn't so subjective is at may first sound.

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning

Have we experienced the Holy Spirit so intensely?  Even if we have there is always more.  No wonder we thirst.  The only thing that can sate us is God himself!

Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.

Only in his dwelling place will find joy.  Only in his pasture will our thirst be quenched.

He is the gate as he tells us.  There is no other admittance to these pastures.  Let us listen to the voice of Jesus as he shepherds us so that we are not misled by the false promises of the world.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?

To behold his face is the only real happiness that exists.  And he calls us to himself.  He calls us to lift up our eyes to him.  We know that we don't desire this in proportion to its goodness and value.  Fortunately, he is clear about why he comes.

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Let us come to know this life by trusting the shepherd and following his voice.  He lead us out from our selfishness, which can't see that blessedness and the fullness of life are in him alone, and into his pastures.


Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!