The thin line between interest and thirst

It’s almost fall season and you know what that means: we are approaching cuffing season. It’s that wonderful time of year when the summer of living single gets tired and people look for that special someone to cuddle up with in the cooler months. This may lead to more inboxes, pokes (does anyone do that anymore?) and only the choice emojis for that special someone. We go through this every year so I’ll just put this here: let the thirst die!!!

The line between thirst and interest is one of the thinnest lines a single can cross when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex. We can get so emotional about little things that we want to take things out of context because perhaps we don’t get to interact with the opposite sex much.

Girrrlll, brother James opened the door for me at church today; he just might be my husband!

Kelly liked 4 of my Instagram posts in one day! What does that mean? Should I send her a DM?

Just…whoa.

Thirst is annoying, extra and comes off as desperate. You can almost smell it. But you know what the worst thing is about thirst? It’s not personal enough. One who is thirsty is likely to take anyone on a date or respond to anyone’s request for a date because something in them needs the fulfillment of being wanted, boo’ed up, and all those other things. Their intentions are based on fear and not maturity.

Interest takes it’s time and observes because it’s simply interest. I would suggest that it’s calmer than thirst, but there’s definitely an attraction there. Interest doesn’t always lead to pursuit; it could come and go, and that person has a right to retain or lose interest. Life goes on and so should all parties involved. We should never want to be desperate for a mate, whether you’re a man or woman. It’s really not that serious.

Note that interest has some intent behind it. Someone who’s interested in you should call, should open the door, should plan the date, should be respectful and punctual, should show you undivided attention on the dates. Those are signs of intent to get to know you for—wait for it—you!

The point of all this is that it’s absolutely normal to be interested in someone of the opposite sex, especially if they too are single and love God, etc. But if it’s God’s will, you don’t have to try too hard to get their attention by doing desperate things. You don’t have to create some scenario in your mind about a future together when there’s nothing really happening in the present. Sometimes you may be led to initiate conversation and that’s fine. Take things easy and be yourself.

When we have a desperate and anxious heart for love, we are showing symptoms that we are not getting enough real love from God. We thirst for God and His presence, more so than for people. It sounds cliché, but it’s Bible:

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God?” Psalms 42:1-2 AMP

We should be desperate for the Lord. The Bible’s use of thirst is different from how we define thirst today but it’s truth remains: nothing and no one will fulfill us or love us like Him. You can make it in life without a boo, but you can’t make it without Jesus (John 15:5). That’s so sobering, and puts you in the perspective of alright, God, I want what you want for me, but I want You first. No thirst or force necessary.

[bctt tweet=”You can make it in life without a boo, but you can’t make it without Jesus…” username=”bliss_bcs”]

You probably have people interested in you right now and not even know it. Who knows why they don’t approach or show interest, but good things take time and you can’t rush greatness. Thirst will lead to rushing, which often leads to regret. Interest reminds you that you have options to explore and to do so with wisdom.

Do you have a story about thirst or interest? Share below!