When our heart has chosen an idol, we will inevitably go to that idol to find what we were created to find in God. We were created to be comforted by our heavenly Father. He knows our future. He loves us deeply. He gives us the comfort our souls crave. Yet, we go to entertainment or food to find comfort. God gives us the significance we long for, but we run to our accomplishments, trophies, awards, degrees, and positions to find significance. God, in his power and authority, offers us security but we store up money and pursue financial security. God offers us joy that outlasts any circumstances, but we go to friends, family, or romantic relationships to find the joy we are looking for. God offers us ultimate Truth in a confusing world, but we are easily swayed by the popular opinion and the arguments of other people. We were created to find our ultimate satisfaction in God, but we settle for temporary pleasures.
We go to these wells again and again thinking that this time they will give us the satisfaction, joy, and comfort we are looking for, but we come up empty every time. Yet, we often can’t see that we are running to broken cisterns instead of the well of eternal life. We’re confused why we’re still broken, sad, hurting, depressed, anxious, confused, and unsatisfied.
Jesus says, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13, NIV). Jesus died to give us free access to the living water. He didn’t die to prove to us the difference between right and wrong; he died to make us new creations. Because of his death and resurrection, we don’t have to live in slavery to our sin patterns. We can walk in freedom, enjoying the relationship with God that we were created for.
Reflection/Discussion Question: What broken cisterns are you going to?
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