What do we do with a lifetime of bad choices – simply quit and believe this is it?
It doesn’t have to be the ending to our story.
It wasn’t the ending for an unnamed woman whose story is in the fourth chapter of John – forty-two verses are devoted to her in the longest recorded dialogue Jesus has with anyone in the gospels. It tells of the sacred conversation between a woman and God when Jesus went out of His way to seek the one who lived in the despised land of Samaria.
Women came to the wells at sunset, but not this outcast lady – she came to draw water at noon, to avoid the glances and gossip of the village people. You see, Ms Samaritan had been a Mrs too many times . . .
Tired and thirsty, the Living Water waits in the shade of Jacob’s well for her. And she shows up at the appointed time, because no encounter with Jesus is ever accidental. Although the rejected woman had looked into the eyes of many men, this time was different. For the first time she saw true love and compassion in the eyes of a Man – the only One who could change her broken life.
And He gazed behind her eyes into the well of her soul and told her who she is . . . and who He is.
They talk about the barriers of culture, religion and race, the things that divide us. And then at a well, He unveils His identity as the true Messiah because in the drought of her spirit she can be eternally quenched with the Living Water. No longer separated, He is within her.
Her story is a reminder that there is a “well of meeting” in the dry places of life where a merciful God is waiting for us to show up so He can permanently heal the deep, because we’re all thirsty and crave something greater.
The unlikely lady was used to advance the gospel in a region where it had not been heard – and she wildly told of her new passion, Jesus the Messiah, who changed her life in a holy moment. We too can drink deep from the refreshing place in John 4:1-42 . . . and leave with a new identity and a new story knowing who we are and who He is . . .
If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, “give me a drink” you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water. John 4:10
Do you remember when Jesus went out of His way to meet you?
Did you respond like her?
Verna
Wow girl you have so beautifully packaged such truth that we all need to allow to take root in our souls!! The well of our souls will never run dry with His living water flowing freely. I love this dear sister and her life’s story that gives us all such hope. Thank you!!
Such hope – our dear Messiah goes out of His way for us (I love this, Linda. . . . the Living Water that allows the truth to take root . . . 🙂
Oh, Verna, so beautifully worded. Your sweet spirit just lays it out in a way that is down right irresistible. Who could ever say, “No,” to that man. Love to you, my sister, from miles across the sea. Stay true to this calling God has placed on your life. <3
Love you for your encouragement, Sue – thank you, and miss you so much.