The reading today is in Jeremiah 2:1-13. The charges against Israel are stiff. They exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. They walked away from living water to build their own broken down cisterns.

I am slowly feasting my way through Eugene Peterson’s memoir (graciously given to me by the wonderful folks at Near Emmaus). Peterson relates the story of starting the church in Bel Air, MD and leading them through their first building program. They began the church in the basement of his house, then they walk through the process of building their very own building, and the momentum was great. They had over 200 people when they opened the new facility.

Then, faithful people stopped coming to church. He talked with one very faithful couple who had decided one day the spring weather was so nice on a Sunday they would go fishing. The fish were biting and God didn’t strike them down for missing church. They told Peterson they weren’t leaving the church, but don’t expect them while the fish are biting and the flowers are blooming.

Peterson was dumbfounded. He asked his denominational supervisor what to do.

“Start another building program. If people don’t have a purpose they will fall off. It’s the American way.”

Unless we have some tangible reason to make to worship, it is a temptation to go fishing. And then we excuse it with trite phrases like, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car.”

There are times we simply lose sight of the invitation of the Lord. He is living water. And for some reason we get tired of living water. We substitute other things for his presence, for worship, for the gathering of the saints, for the opportunity to learn from one another… just for the chance to be in his presence.We willingly try to do something else rather than be with him HIS way. Why?

It is something that tempts all of us. It tempts me. And I keep asking of myself, “Why am I tempted to accept something other than living, fresh water?” But I do have those temptations.

Whether it is fatigue or depression or we’re wanting an emotional buzz, there are probably hundreds of reasons. We are not appalled. Many times we simply yawn and roll over.

Lord, please restore passion for your presence in our lives. Please touch us with fresh water again. Let a fresh wind of the Spirit blast through our lives, awakening us to our broken cisterns. Let us call out again for fresh water.