John 4:13–14 NLT 
Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. 

[08/29/2025; Sony A6400 // iPhone 14 ProMax] 

When I first moved overseas, I knew some of the bucket list places I wanted to visit. Italy, France, Sweden, and Germany, to name a few. Bulgaria was never on that list, in fact, I did not think I would ever make it to Bulgaria, but I am so glad I did. Sofia sits in southeastern Europe and is filled with history. From its Soviet-era architecture to its Eastern Orthodox heritage, the city made for such a unique sight to see. Everywhere I walked, I kept noticing water fountains all across the city that were flowing and bubbling. But the moment that really stuck with me was at the Serdika hot springs, where I felt God speak to me about living water. 

After my flight, I asked my Airbnb host if I could check in early since I landed around 7 a.m. and check-in wasn’t until 2 p.m. Thankfully, he agreed. Once I arrived, I took a nap and woke up just in time to meet my buddy, who flew in around noon from the UK. Neither of us had eaten yet, so we both agreed to grab a bite, and from there we would start exploring. 

Our first stop post lunch was St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which quickly became a highlight of the trip. Inside and out, it was a true marvel of engineering. The green and gold lined the top of the cathedral, and the interior was lined with murals that were so stunning the photos I took could not do them justice. Later, we stopped at a local mall before heading back to the Airbnb to regroup before heading back out in the evening, we tried traditional Bulgarian food at a restaurant called MOMA and walked around the city streets. For a Friday night, it was surprisingly quiet. We called it early, saving our energy for the next day. 

The next afternoon we did a ton of walking, trying to take in as much of Sofia as we could. We visited St. George Rotunda, which is the most ancient preserved Roman building in Sophia and was built during the time of Constantine the Great (306-337.)

From there, we checked out the Roman Ruins, and to my surprise, ran into a buddy named Mike, who was also visiting with his girlfriend. We all hung out for a little while before making our way to the hot springs.

The Ancient Hot Springs of Serdika was a simple sight but left a lasting impact on my stay. The springs themselves are full of tectonic activity, which produces mineral water that flows out of fountains locals use daily. I watched one woman fill three separate, one-gallon jugs and load them into her car. The water itself was hot to the touch from the geothermal heat.

Standing there, I couldn’t help but think of the Samaritan woman at the well. She came looking for water to quench her thirst, but Jesus offered her something greater, living water. As I stood by those springs, more than I’d like to admit, I realized how often I chase after things that only satisfy for a moment. Looking back, this was especially true in my early twenties when I slowly drifted away from my faith. It wasn’t even like a conscious decision, but gradually over time, through hurts, hang-ups, and bad habits, I became someone I didn’t want to be. 

At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I was constantly drinking out of a cracked cistern, chasing the things of this world and searching for satisfaction in all the wrong places, but only Jesus can satisfy. Only Jesus can quench the thirst of your soul. It was only through God’s grace that I was able to climb out of that rough season. He is the living water. Jesus says He gives a spring that bubbles up into eternal life. In Sofia, those fountains and springs became more than sights; they became a reminder that everything comes from Him. 

Beyond the Sendika hot springs, fountains were everywhere. I felt the Lord impress on my heart that this was what I needed to write about when I returned home. There is this song called Springtime by Chris Renzema, and in the song, he captures clearly: “You’re the living water, God we thirst for You.” Later in the song he sings, “Come tend the soil of my soul, and like a garden I will grow.” The song is filled with imagery about coming back to life through Jesus and Jesus alone. 

On our last night, after a solid steak dinner, we took one final walk down the main strip. The neon lights of the restaurants glowed in the stillness of the night as Cole and I caught up and talked about our faith in Christ. In our conversation, I remember saying something to the effect of “I know I am flawed, and I know I will always fall short of the glory of God. But what amazes me, what humbles me every time, is that we have a Savior who doesn’t leave me there. He picks me up, calls me His own, and keeps walking with me even when I stumble.” 

The fountains, the hot springs, even those conversations all pointed me back to the same truth: Jesus is the one who satisfies. He doesn’t just give water for today. He offers life from a fountain that never runs dry. 

Closing  

Maybe you’ve been running on empty lately, chasing things that don’t last. If so, here’s your reminder: Jesus is living water. He doesn’t just quench your thirst, He makes your life overflow like a spring. 

Jesus is KING. 

As you reflect this week, ask yourself: 

Where in your life do you feel thirsty, searching for satisfaction? 

What does it look like for you to let God “tend the soil” of your soul, as the song Springtime describes?

Is there a place you traveled to that took you by surprise?

Please share in the comments!

💎