“What if this desperate thirst is the scene the psalmist (Psalm 42:1) had in mind? A soul full of such longing for God that nothing else matters. And a thirst that is actually a good thing, an indicator of present and coming growth?”- Sara Hagerty
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”- Psalm 143:6 (NIV)
As Sara Hagerty continues Chapter 10 of Unseen, she notes that places where God seems absent provide the places for the most personal growth. Thus, the longer we stay in our weakness and need, tolerating our thirst, the more we’ll find of God.
Furthermore, we must allow for thirst. As a result, we’ll hear God when, Sara observes, we slow down to evaluate, not just imbibe, our thoughts and fears. Hence, we lean into our weaknesses rather than slaking our thirst with temporary fixes. Distractions present a danger because they try to woo our attention away from the uncomfortable void within our souls.
Therefore, Ms. Hagerty stresses, in desperate situations you need the freedom to say, “I’m empty. It’s okay to be empty and stay empty for a little while.” In other words, you allow yourself to feel the dryness of your thirst without attempting to self-correct the situation.
In going through this process, Sara:
- realized her thirst increased her reach for God and surfaced an eagerness in her
- read His Word
- prayed with greater expectation
- waited with eyes open
- noticed God in places she hadn’t seen Him before and in ways she hadn’t allowed Him to come to her before
Today’s question: What Bible verses slake your desperate thirst? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Press into these thirsty moments”
