Perhaps it was the diagnosis. The abandonment. The failure.

Maybe it was that one great rejection. That loss that saps color from your life, wrapping you in its invisible shroud.

You smile and laugh, performing like an Oscar is on the line. But the wound eats at your heart, reminding you of its presence; demanding to be fed.

Perhaps you’re like the man cutting himself in anguish among the tombs at night, before Jesus came. Confronted the enemy. Freed him.

Or the blind beggar, tasting the dust kicked up by sandals passing by, until Jesus came. Noticed him. Healed him.

Or the thirsty woman, her sins digging a hole deeper than the well at the edge of town, until Jesus came. Knew her. Honored her.

He came to the dead; the bleeding; the hopeless. To the ones on the side of life’s roads, passed over. To the grieving and the outcast. To the ones desperate to be seen; those hungry to belong.

Come to me, you who are thirsty, he said. There is water for washing, for quenching; living water for filling the awful yawning gap inside.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:37-38

Come to me, you who are weary, he said. There is rest for your soul, for your heart; for shoulders weary under life’s crushing expectations.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to my banquet, he said. To the table set for you. To a place of welcome, of belonging; of joy.

Come to him and lay yourself down. Surrender to the love that can fill you, heal you, knit your heart together stitch by stitch. To a peace that can hold you in the darkness and bid the morning star to rise.

Come to the Father, watching for you. Yearning for you. Waiting to see you coming around the bend, coming home where you belong.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17