Drink Now or Drink Forever

Are you living more for this life or the next? Would you want a drink only for now or drink forever?

I'm reminded of a beautiful illustrative story told by one of my favorite local authors (Bo Sanchez). Catch my own answer to the question above through this story.

"One day, a man got lost walking in the desert. The next day, he was still lost. After two days under the scorching sun, he was very thirsty. All of a sudden, he saw a little wooden shed. He ran to it, thinking of only one thing—Water! When he arrived there, he saw an old, rusty water pump sticking from the ground. He gripped the handle and began pumping like a mad man. But nothing came out. Disappointed, he stepped back how to make it work. Looking around, he saw a jug covered with dust. When he grabbed it, he saw a piece of paper stuck on it. The message read, “Open this jug and you’ll find water. Don’t drink it. Pour it instead on the pump. And you’ll have all the water you want.” He popped the cork. True enough, the jug was filled with water. Lovely, thirst-quenching, water. Now imagine you’re that thirsty man. For two whole days, you haven’t drunk water. Your mouth is so dry, your tongue is sticking to the roof of your mouth. You’re literally dying of thirst. And you’re now holding a jug full of water. But the message says that you should throw it away! For a moment, your heart is torn. What if the message was a joke? A cruel prank? What if you poured the water on that rusty pump and nothing happened? But the man in our story chose to take the risk. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and poured the water. He held the handle and pumped like crazy. A few seconds later, torrents of water gushed out. Indeed, he had more water than he could ever need! He drank to his heart content. He also found water containers to bring with him in his journey and filled them up to the brim. But before leaving the place, he filled the jug with water. And underneath the sign attached to it, he scribbled, “I tried it. Believe me, it works.”

"Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.' (John 4:10)

Those who are living their lives in the Living Water of life (Jesus) will drink forever.