Before Scott Harrison founded Charity Water, he was a top nightclub promoter for 10 years in New York City influencing thousands upon thousands of people. Those years were full of partying and indulging in whatever he wanted; the more he partied, the more he got paid. He lived a lavish lifestyle surrounded by beautiful people and private jets, and the champagne was always flowing. People would look at him and think, “This guy has everything, and is so successful.” For years he felt that way, until one day he didn’t.
One New Year’s Eve he was on a trip to Uruguay, hosting one of his huge parties with friends. Walking around impaired, he realized he had been up for 24 hours, and the party was still going. Suddenly, he just wanted the party to stop... he was tired of it all. Scott realized he wanted his life to have meaning, purpose, and integrity. He described himself as spiritually, morally, and emotionally bankrupt, so he made a deal with God. He committed to tithing back ten percent of the time he spent as a club promoter, or one year, to serve the poor. That decision led him to apply to various humanitarian organizations, but nobody would accept him. Finally, Mercy Ships told him he could join their mission if he paid them $500 per month. He was in! He spent a year in West Africa, and what he saw changed his life - the unsanitary conditions 1.1 billion people were living in and their lack of clean drinking water. After his year on the ship, he started a non-profit organization called Charity Water to bring clean water to remote areas with the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations.
To date, Charity Water,
charitywater.org, has served 19,151,855 people in 29 countries with 171,469 water projects. Through this journey of discovering himself, Scott also renewed his relationship with Jesus. You can read more about his story in his book,
“Thirst.”
Scott’s life is a living example of Colossians 3:5, “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world.”
Dear friend, what God has for you is greater than the earthly things lurking within you. Spend time in honest reflection with God on the things you’re living for. This is not to shame you, but to bring renewal, repentance, and redemption.
God may ask you to lay things down and surrender them to Him. Take that step. There will be moments when you will be tempted to pick them back up. Before you act on that urge, remember what you experienced when you surrendered to God. Think about what you have gained and learned and the peace and hope you have! You can live a life that glorifies and honors God as you continue to acknowledge Him in all your ways.
To you, I give my life,
not just the parts I want to.
To you, I give my future
As long as it may last
To you, I give my present
To you, I give my past
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life!
- Jason Upton