“Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.”  John 4:14

     Clare Boothe Luce vowed at an early age to abandon obscurity and become memorable. That she did. In the 1930’s she became managing editor of “Vanity Fair” magazine. Through her later marriage to Henry Luce, she influenced the man who created the Time, Inc.  publishing empire. Together they grew powerfully rich. But for Clare that wasn’t enough. After stints in magazine publishing, she wrote much-acclaimed plays, served two terms in Congress, and became U.S. ambassador to Italy. To the public there was nothing Clare couldn’t do. In private her friends and family observed that she relentlessly sought what she never achieved: inner peace. Clare competed against Henry for fame and resented his control over the business. She ignored her daughter and collected enemies almost as fast as she engaged in love affairs with men. Near the end of her life she said, “One achieves so much less than one’s expectations. I was thinking at one time of writing my memoirs and calling it ‘Confessions of an Unsuccessful Woman.’ I’ve done too many things, and it all doesn’t add up.”

     Unfortunately Clare produced lots of activity but she found little meaning. She believed she could find peace and a meaningful life by pursuing things and accomplishments. She pursued her desires ruthlessly. But only God could quench her thirst. Sadly, she never found that out.  

      We all have a problem: we need life….and we can’t make it happen on our own. God is the One who gives life, but even as believers, we still try to make it happen ourselves.  When we choose to stay in control (the façade of control), we are, in effect, choosing to be controlled by someone or something other than God. We pursue things that we think will quench our thirst.

     If you are living your life trying to control your relationships, staying on your guard so that you won’t be hurt, and pursuing whatever you think will give your life meaning, you will arrive at the end of your life weary and disappointed.

     God graciously offers you water that will quench your thirst. Come and drink. Draw near. Remain.

*Where are you looking for life and meaning?

God, forgive me for looking for water everywhere else but from You. You alone are my thirst-quenching, life-giving, living water. Thank You that I can drink freely.  When I feel a thirst coming on, remind me to run to You. I do not want to life a life full of activity but devoid of meaning. Overwhelm me with a fresh sense of Your goodness, Your grace and Your power. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


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