As mentioned in a previous blog post, I recently had the opportunity to visit a reintegration center in Ethiopia for female victims of human trafficking and abuse. While there, our team facilitated a number of activities such as jewelry making, flower planting, photography workshop, manicures, English lessons, and more. During this time, we got to hear some of the ladies’ stories, many of whom had moved abroad with great hopes and promises of earning a decent income as domestic workers so they could support their families back home. Sadly, many of those dreams went awry upon arriving in their host country. My heart grieved for them – for their disappointment, loss of innocence, pain, and shame. I was angered by the deception and abuse they had endured. And grateful their lives had been spared and led to Agar.

Interestingly, I also found their stories to be quite analogous to many of our spiritual journeys. How many of us can identify with falling for the enemy’s empty promises for fulfillment, joy, peace, and satisfaction in things apart from God? Humbly and sadly I confess that I can identify all too well. Cognitively I know the end product of such pursuits, for it’s always the same – disappointment. And yet, I sometimes forget and once again turn to broken cisterns hoping for a different outcome. The outcome will never be different though. We were made for God and nothing else will satisfy. Until we properly value Him, all the things we improperly value will leave us disappointed and frustrated.

Jeremiah reminds us that there is only One fountain of living water, all else is an illusion, a counterfeit, a vehicle for disappointment.

“…for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” ~ Jer. 2:13

Notice the two evils identified here: 1. Turning away from God 2. Turning towards anything other than Him for satisfaction and fulfillment. Broken cisterns come in all shapes and sizes – careers, relationships, possessions, status, adventures, savings accounts, approval of man, comfort, diversions and pleasures, and the list goes on. These things in and of themselves may not be evil, but when they become the well from which we seek contentment and rest for our souls they can also quickly become the demise of our souls.

Praise God for His patience, grace, and love. Praise God that He is not a God of empty promises. He is the fountain of living water, the bread of life, and the giver of true rest and peace. He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul he fills with good things (Ps. 107:9).

Lord, forgive us for our wandering hearts and help our souls find rest in Thee.