There are so many times in my life when I’ve never felt so blessed! I have a loving family, daily nourishment, and a God Who romances me daily. There are other times in my life when I don’t feel so blessed. Sometimes, like Job, we are deprived of the gifts we love. In those times, we may be tempted to think that God’s favour has left us. This is the farthest thing from the truth.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst … blessed are those who mourn … blessed are those who are reviled and persecuted.” Sounds pretty counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? How happy can we be while suffering from pain and want? How can we rejoice over our mourning? And honestly, who wouldn’t worry about a nasty rumour or a bad reputation? Jesus taught us many concepts that don’t make sense in this world.
If every human being—body and soul—ceases to be after its time on earth, it would only make sense for us to do whatever we want. I tried that. Honestly, I did. I went to the well and back, day after tired day, thinking that pleasure equates to happiness, and that kisses equate to closeness. The more I consumed, the hungrier I felt. In the brilliant words of Pope Benedict XVI, “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort; you were made for greatness.” I always sensed that I was made for more than the shallow comforts I gave in to.
In the end, I found true happiness in letting go of a few bad habits. Was I lonely? Oh, yes. Was I bored? Hah, just ask my mum! Was I at peace? More than anyone could imagine. In response to my petty sacrifices, God chose to pour down grace upon grace, and consolation upon sweet consolation! Or maybe those graces were always there, and I was too distracted by this world to appreciate them.
Of course, if I’ve learned anything from the saints, it’s that being a saint on earth isn’t all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. I don’t always have the luxury of “feeling” God’s presence, but this isn’t new. For example, Mother Teresa was forced to carry on through decades of spiritual dryness. No matter what we go through, Jesus is always there, suffering alongside us, helping us carry our crosses. He comes to show us how to die on this earth, that we may be raised to the life for which we are destined.
Let us not look to the world to tell us who we are. God, our Creator, knows who we are: beautiful, powerful, immortal souls, thirsting for a Love that’s to die for.
I Thirst
I am lyin’
on an island
situated
in an ocean.
The humidity
is tangible.
The heat
is unbearable
and it’s hard—
so sickening to think
that I
can be surrounded
by water
and still
so
thirsty.
Immersed
in saltwater
and still
I THIRST
I Thirst
I Thirst
i thirst
CHILD, HERE I AM.
I Am
Living Water,
I AM
He you seek.
You lie weak and mis’rable
as if I wasn’t here.
But see?
In your weakness
to you I now appear.
Come to My side, little one
drink deep and know you’re loved.
You’ll never leave Me empty,
my precious lamb,
Beloved.