12th April, 2005

CAROLE ADAMS

Come Thirsty
Max Lucado
Published by W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson Inc, 2004
ISBN : 0-8499-9130-7 (International Edition)

Readers of Max Lucado’s books will once again enjoy, and be inspired by Come Thirsty. Lucado has a passion to see people receive and enjoy all that God provides for them daily, and in this book he encourages readers to receive the living water that God longs to give us: “If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It’s free!” (Revelation 22:17 CEV).

"A very easy book to read, but the true message of it will be lost if you just read it, enjoy it, and leave it at that. The book opens up the question of where you go to have your thirst quenched, and the full impact of this book will only be experienced if you explore this question and its implications for your own life."

The book is written in the usual Lucado style - descriptions of simple everyday stories and experiences, combined with scripture, and the author's personal spiritual insights. The introductory chapter is a modern day story of Jesus and the woman at the well, where He offers a young woman living water so that she will never thirst again. It sets the scene for what follows, and the concept of living water, which can be quite difficult to understand, is thoroughly explored.

Lucado writes of the consequences of dehydrated hearts, always pointing to Jesus as the only one who can change this, and refresh us daily with living water. He describes our need to continually be refreshed and to trust that God will always do this for us. Yes, we will occasionally sin, but when Christ is in us, sin cannot claim us.

The inclusion of a simple prayer which the author personally uses provides a practical way of remembering all that we have in Christ, and sums up what the message of this book i: “Lord, I come thirsty. I come to drink, to receive. I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection. My sins are pardoned, and my death is defeated. I receive your energy. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. I receive your lordship. I belong to you. Nothing comes to me that hasn’t passed through you. And I receive your love. Nothing can separate me from your love.”

We are reminded that it is not up to us, that we are never alone, and, that the Holy Spirit continually intercedes for us, even when we have no idea what our real needs are. Lucado’s stories about every day people just like you and me help to illustrate the points he is making. These are issues that every person deals with - the desire to be loved, worry, death, weak or faltering faith, trusting God, judgement, to name just a few. This book shows how God’s grace and mercy is always available to everyone, and gives suggestions and practical ways to make this real in our lives.

At the end of the book there is a reader’s guide prepared by Steve Halliday, so that as you read each chapter you can work on any of the issues which it may bring up in your own life. The questions here are direct and thought provoking, encouraging reader’s to have a good look at their own spiritual thirst and how they deal with it. I read the book through first then went back and explored each chapter using the reader’s guide, but this is just a personal preference. I do recommend working through this at some stage as it helps to personalise and utilise all you have been reading about.

A very easy book to read, but the true message of it will be lost if you just read it, enjoy it, and leave it at that. The book opens up the question of where you go to have your thirst quenched, and the full impact of this book will only be experienced if you explore this question and its implications for your own life. Max Lucado simply points out the way for us to receive living water for our thirsty souls, and it is up to us to go to the source, Jesus, and take what is offered.

For more on 'Come Thirsty', you can visit the book's official site at www.comethirsty.com.