A teacher of the Word I highly admired shared a story from early in his ministry. He was leading a student group while finishing up his post-grad studies. God had brought favor on his ministry and good things were happening. He had a radical dependence on the Spirit through all the work.

One night late he was feeling the pressure of the grad work and leading the ministry. He felt the burden and thought, “I just can’t take this. Where is God?”

In that moment he testified that the presence of God seemed to lift up off him and his shoulder felt an unimaginable weight come down. He knew what was going on. The Lord was lifting up his presence so he could see just what kind of “burden” he was carrying. He realized it was the Lord who was holding off so much more pressure.

The leader quickly prayed, “Lord, forgive me! This is your work!”

I have so deeply admired over the years great leaders who have led the way in showing their thirst for God… their dependency on God.

How I need to thirst! I need a thirst like none other for the presence of God. There is a stirring happening in my heart and I need to cry out, “Lord! Don’t let it stop now!”

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1)

May our hearts cry out!