John 4:1-14, James 5:7-12, Ecclesiastes 8, Jeremiah 26-29

Recall:
John 4:13-14
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” (The Message)

James 5:7-8
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. (The Message)

Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
Wisdom makes one’s face shine,
and the hardness of one’s countenance is changed. (NRSV)

Jeremiah 29:10-14
This is GOD’S Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

  “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.

“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” GOD’S Decree. (The Message)

Reflect:
An embarrassment of riches this morning. Such words of encouragement, even in the usually quite unencouraging book of Jeremiah. Such a promise--when you seek me, you will find me. There are continuous streams of living water available for the asking--but only to the extent that I ask for them, seek them.

The process can sometimes be slow and arduous. Not because God is a stingy God, but because the process of me wiping the sleep from my eyes can be so involved. That is where James' advice comes into play. Be patient, steady, and strong. The Master will come!

Ecclesiastes 8:1 is a new wisdom description for me--I don't remember ever reading it before. But what encouraging words! Wisdom can soften the heart and face.

Respond:
The hunt is on! It seems that just about every moment of my life should be spent in either seeking God or sharing with my family, church, and community what I have found.

We have, in our faith tradition, a viable, workable plan to transform our lives--streams of living water, the power to transform hearts and even faces--the keys to the Kingdom!

God, forgive me for the moments that I have frittered away this week, moments that I could have been drawing water from you, or pouring it into others. Thank you for always being here with me, always ready to reveal yourself to me, always ready to respond when I call out to you--even as imperfect and half-hearted as that call often is.