Thirst

Thirst is a recurring theme in the scriptures, and Jesus refers to himself as the water

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-15 NIV

What is the thirst, or longing, that is referred here to? Larry Crabb, a professor of counseling at Colorado Christian and well known author, suggests it is two fold: thirst for unconditional love, and thirst for impact. We deeply long for unconditional love, and to make a difference.

Jesus is supposed to be the answer to both. Though we, or perhaps rather the church, talks about relationship and seems to often skip over the desire for impact. Why is this?

Don't take Crabb's word for it. The challenge to make a different world, to assist Jesus in the greatest mission ever, is all over the New Testament. One of the most amazing (amazing in part due to how much it is ignored and seldom preached) passages in scripture to me is John 14:12

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (emphasize added). NIV

In the coming days, I'll post on both sides of the thirst equation, and what it means for a restored heart. For now, let me say that I believe that one of the reasons that church attendance is 61% female is due to the typical church's emphasis on relationships over impact. Women, in general, are more inclined toward relationships and community, while men in general are more inclined toward making a difference. Church also skews older -- again, generally the older you are the more you care about relationships, while the younger are more about making a mark on this world. This could well be why church plants tend to have a higher percentage of the younger and men: in those early days, there is more promise of making an impact.