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.
Jeremiah 2:1

Have you ever had a tasty bowl of soup that leaves you wanting more, but after drinking a few
more bowls, you only become more thirsty? Yes, that’s the power of Monosodium Glutamate
(MSG)! The bowl of soup tastes so good when you are drinking it, but it will never satisfy you.
In a world full of stress and worries, we often seek activities we find joy in, such as watching
films, playing video games, or scrolling through social media. After consuming all of those
media, however, we are no more joyful than when we started. In fact, we find ourselves craving
for more interesting films, or more exciting video games, or the next juicy celebrity update. This
joy is only temporary and but leaves us thirstier than before, just like drinking the bowl of tasty
soup made with MSG.

These are the broken cisterns we have hewn for ourselves, since they cannot truly satisfy. By
watching more films or playing more video games, we lose our time and draw our focus
away from God, the source of living water. As a result, we fall into a state of constant
dissatisfaction.

The next time we encounter a long day of work, rather than using all our effort and time to hew
broken cisterns, let us seek enjoyment in the Lord instead. By meditating on God’s Word,
journaling about God’s love and blessings, listening to hymns, having a meal with brothers and
sisters, or giving a call to a brother or sister you have not seen for a long time, we can feel
fulfilled by God. By drawing near to Him we are able to find lasting joy and satisfaction, for He
is the one who created us and knows our wants and needs. Our souls will be refreshed
and satisfied like having a sports drink after a long run.

Reflection Question:
Are you hewing any broken cisterns in your life today?