Anyone who knows me knows that I
HATE
DETEST
DESPISE
country music … So I apologize, because the song I am about to introduce is … country … heck, lets just call it folk music (somehow calling it ‘folk’ music makes it sound better to my ears).
The song “Come to the River” would seem to be inspired by John 4:13-15 …
“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””
As I’d heard the song over and over, the lyrics started to penetrate my mind, and I found myself singing along (sans twang). It certainly is a catchy tune … I almost want to line dance!
Rhett Walker is not a man who has always had his ‘stuff’ together. As a sixteen year old, who frequently got into fights, used drugs, and had a pregnant girlfriend, he had to make a choice to either keep on the current path or step it up.
“He stepped up. “It was like, Man, what am I doing?” he remembers. “I’ve still got my senior year left, but I’ll have to leave this religious school where I’m high most of the time anyway. My girlfriend’s having a baby, and I have no job. I finally sat down with April, who is now my wife, and said: We’ve done everything wrong that we possibly can. Let’s do everything right from here on out.” Rhett and April got married. He rededicated his life to God, and she accepted Jesus for the first time. He got a diploma, and she made their $300-per-month apartment into a home. They welcomed a daughter, Rileigh, and became active in church where Walker began leading worship.” ( http://www.rhettwalkerband.com )
The realities of his life, his mistakes, and the redemption that he received from Christ is expressed in a very real and tangible way through his folksy music.
… and thirst no more …
