It’s no secret that millions or even billions of people are searching for meaning, fulfillment, happiness, success, or whatever they may think the measurement is of purpose in life—while the key to those things remains a secret for most. Ironically, queries to Google for these things return no fewer than 3 billion results (but hey, delivered in less than a second!). So we have no shortage of places to look.
Many, searching for something they can’t quite define, wander from one risky behavior to another, and some realize in time that those behaviors don’t bring them what they’re after. Others drift from relationship to relationship. Still others pursue modern definitions of success or happiness and discover it’s a false promise.
The Parable of the Soda Fountain depicts these pursuits as different flavored drinks at a carnival. In the story, Jenna represents any of us when we opt for the more colorful and sweet-tasting offerings in life. But at what cost? To me, it’s a story of a universal search for satisfaction. None of these other “drinks” truly quenches a person’s thirst as much as pure water.
The ancient prophet Jacob taught: “Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness” (2 Nephi 9:50–51).
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord promised to those lacking in truth: “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water” (Isaiah 41:17–18).
And Jesus Himself taught the Samaritan woman that “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
As the attendant at the soda fountain pointed out to Jenna, the water that will truly quench all thirst costs no money. Yes, something is required of us as we begin a path of making and keeping covenants with Heavenly Father, which is to embark on that path with faith, true desire, and real intent to serve Him and follow His Son. But it doesn’t matter if you’re wealthy, poverty stricken, or somewhere in between—entrance to the kingdom of God is available to you. The path of discipleship is available to you.
It’s through Christ and His gospel that we can find true meaning, fulfillment, happiness, and success as His waters fill us and allow us to cease our wandering.
Photo by Ray Piedra on Pexels.com
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The Weekly Parable 