Comfort Food and Living Water

I love fall. That is one of the things I miss most about living in Florida.  We don’t get seasons here and I miss fall the most. In the Midwest, fall has a special smell.  The leaves as they change colors look amazing and the crisp fall air is refreshing to breath in.

I also like foods that come back in season.  Chili, pumpkin pie, pot roast and so many other foods that have been categorized as “comfort foods”.  I would call fall as my “comfort season”.

We are always looking for things that give us comfort or satisfaction.  Whether it’s the people who surround us, the house we live in, or the job we have we long for satisfaction. 

In today’s scripture, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman gathering water from the well.  Jesus knows immediately that this woman has been seeking satisfaction with men.  He offers her living water, ultimately though he is offering her himself.  He is saying that if she looked to him for satisfaction she would not have to look any place else.

Jesus message is the same today. We try to find satisfaction in so many things when Jesus is the only thing that can satisfy.  I am not talking about salvation. Christians can be totally dissatisfied if they accept Christ as their Savior and then distrust him for everything else in life.

Christ came that we might have life and have it to the full, but if we don’t turn to him for our satisfaction we lose out.  So drink in the living water daily.  Consume scriptures teaching of Jesus and talk to him whenever you feel the need to be satisfied. He will not disappoint.

Read today's passage here John 4:4-26

All is Not Lost

Comfort, what is it? What makes you feel better? When do you need comfort? How do you find it? Is comfort elusive or right there for the taking? I guess for this writer, comfort, or the pursuit of it, depends on life. My life, your life, or the world in general.

When bad things happen to me, I might seek relief through a preferred sweet or favorite movie. It depends how I define ‘bad’ at that moment. If it is simply an overdue notice a dish of ice-cream will do the trick.

If it is the terminal diagnosis, then no food in the world could help to make it all better. At times likes this comfort is elusive and I find I have to search it out. Time, or the passing of it, is generally the only comfort held out.

The scripture reading today begins, “Comfort, comfort my people…” Isaiah is sharing with his people of God’s promises of restoration and love. He is telling them their future is bright, and he is prophesying to the people that there is Hope and New Life just ahead. He is preparing them for Jesus.

“Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” (Isaiah: 40:4) These are words meant to comfort us, to bring hope and calm our hearts.

What is it that is breaking your heart, making you feel a prisoner in this life? Do you need comfort, peace and joy? The world is a rough place right now and some days it feels like everything is falling apart. But God is here. Tomorrow will come and Jesus will return to restore His people. “Comfort, comfort my people.”

Isaiah 40:1-9