Dana Rongione

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Never Hunger or Thirst

I serve God because.png I serve God because.png

Do you know how much time I could free up from my days if specific tasks didn’t have to be repeated daily, weekly, or monthly? Yes, if every task were a “one and done” kind of thing, I’d have time to sit back with a good book without a care in the world. But that’s not the way life works, is it? House chores like laundry, dishes, cooking and cleaning have to be done on a daily (or near daily basis). Grocery shopping and other errands take up at least one day per week. Bills have to be paid each month, and on the flip side of that, the financial reports have to be organized, updated and processed. Barnabas needs a daily walk, and I like to hug and kiss my sweet hubby at least once a day. Oh, and these daily devotions don’t write themselves either. This list doesn’t even include things like regular exercise or quiet time with the Lord.

The truth is, my to-do list from one day to the next is often filled with the same tasks plus a few unique ones to spice things up.  Let’s face it, life is full of repetition—jobs that have to be completed over and over again. Is it any wonder why we always feel like we’re behind and that we’re seldom getting anything accomplished? Laundry again today? Didn’t I do that yesterday? What do you mean I have to cook more than once a week. . or once a day? Good grief!

Fortunately, when it comes to our salvation, it is a “one and done” deal. The experience never has to be repeated. I don’t have to get up each morning and get saved all over again. It’s—well, to use my new word for the year—settled. A onetime thing. I could give (and have given in the past) a myriad of verses to confirm this declaration, but to stick with our “never” theme, I’ll share these two:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

— John 4:14
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

— John 6:35

How awesome would it be to eat once and be forever satisfied? My hips would undoubtedly benefit from the arrangement! How about to drink a single glass of water and never again experience thirst? Physically, it’s impossible. God didn’t create us that way. These earthly bodies require food and water to function correctly. But spiritually speaking, it’s not only possible; I’ve experienced it. I don’t have to wonder what it’s like to know God. I don’t have to imagine what it’s like to be His child. I never have to hunger or thirst for everlasting life because it’s already mine. I gained it the day I believed in Jesus and accepted Him as the Lord of my life. That was over 35 years ago, but it’s as true today as it was then.

While I live each day to bring glory to God, I never waste time and energy on renewing my salvation. I serve God because I am saved not so I can be saved. It’s a privilege, not a duty, unlike doing laundry and dishes and paying bills.

Are you hungry today? Are you seeking something to give your life meaning? Is there a hunger or thirst in your soul that nothing else can satisfy? If so, I invite you to go to Jesus. He is the answer to everything that’s wrong in your life, and He is the only one who can fill the void and make your life complete.