Reading plan done for 2021. So thankful for another year where, by God’s grace, I’ve been able to know God’s presence as I’ve chewed on God’s word.

Thinking that I will likely begin my reading plan again sometime next week. But for now, no plans other than to take a bit of a break from routine.

This morning, I’m hovering over Revelation 22. In particular, verse 17. Feeling like I get the “come” and “come” of what John was told to write.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

(Revelation 22:17a ESV)

A year ago I couldn’t imagine 2021 “topping” 2020 as a “bottom of the barrel” year. How many times did we think we were turning a corner only to find there was another detour in the road? More deaths in the U.S. from COVID in 2021 than 2020 and, for most in my circle, what had been a mostly distant disease in 2020 has hit far closer to home in 2021 — sometimes repeatedly, a few times lethally. Another tough year. Another really tough year.

So, I’m all in with the Spirit and the Bride when they say, “Come!” I’m one who hears. Add my voice, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Feeling kinda’ done. This world is feeling as broken as it’s ever felt, I’m ready for a new world. As out of control as it’s ever seemed, ready for some stability. As disquieted as I ever recall, ready for some peace on earth. The pressures of a pandemic along with the collateral impact of a pandemic are, at the least, wearisome. Add in the other “standard sufferings” of a broken world and, at times, it’s overwhelming. Ready for some respite. So, come!

But even as I whisper that, I hear a “still small voice” beckon to me in the cave (1Kings 19:12 NKJV).

And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

(Revelation 22:17b ESV)

Parched. That’s a good word. Dried up. Thirsty. A longing for something this world cannot provide. A thirst it’s incapable of satisfying. “Come,” whispers the Savior, “take the water of life without price.”

Water that will satisfy the thirst. Water freely given which primes an inner spiritual pump becoming “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:14). Water which satiates the parched soul so that, not only does it survive, but it even flourishes and bears fruit. Living water. Holy Spirit water.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, . . .

(John 7:37-39a ESV)

Lamb of God, I come. Spirit of God, spring up, O well!

Come and come. As I wait for the King to come and reign in His perfect timing, I will, by the Spirit’s enabling and through the Spirit’s provision, continue to accept the Shepherd’s invitation to come and drink of the water of life.

By His grace. For His glory.

Merry Christmas!