More than Water

The Woman at the Well

We know the story of the woman at the well in Samaria near the city of Sychar. She came in the afternoon to draw water so that she didn’t have to come with the other women. It was during the hottest part of the day and it was quite a walk to the well. But in order to avoid the gossipmongers and scoffers, she chose to come alone.

But he had to pass through Samaria. Now he came to a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, so Jesus, since he was tired from the journey, sat right down beside the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” (For his disciples had gone off into the town to buy supplies.) So the Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you – a Jew – ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) John 4:4-9, NET

Some commentaries state that going through Samaria was not a normal route for Jews and others say that it was used quite often since it was the shortest route from Judea to Galilee. Either way, a Jew interacting with a Samaritan was not something that happened regularly. But God had other plans.

Jesus, being the Son of God, knew this. He knew she would be there and He wanted to meet her. He made an intentional trip to be where she was in order to speak to her about the true Living Water. It wasn’t about making a name for Himself, it was about letting her receive the love she deserved. No matter what others said or thought, she deserved to be loved. It was about more than water.

Friend, there is not one person who hasn’t felt unloved at some point in their lives. Granted, not everyone has felt the same degree, but there are times that we have questioned the love others have for us. This is where the problem lies. How others love us….. this is where we get hung up.

Our lives aren’t meant to be lived according to the love or acceptance of others. It is meant to be lived in alignment with the love and direction of God. Only then can we experience the true peace of what it is to live a life of salvation.

We think we MUST be accepted by others… especially our families. While it is wonderful to have the support of your family, it is not a requirement for doing God’s will.

God’s word doesn’t say… seek the acceptance of your family then come to me… NOPE.

However, it does say……

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness – nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others- 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6, NET

In other words, we don’t compel others to learn of Christ’s love because we want to be great in the sight of man, but because God has placed this upon us to do as His disciples. It is not about having accolades from people but for God to be given glory for His goodness.

But .. as I always say….we let ourselves get in the way…… we are the ones who choose how we are going to get the water we thirst for…

I am the queen of getting in my own way….. and when I do I cause so many delays it isn’t funny. I get caught up on the “why” I am not able to complete a task and forget the “HOW” I am able to complete the task… I remove the goodness of God and try to replace it with my own ability… yeahhh.. that doesn’t end well.

I do this because I am by nature a people pleaser. Due to the feeling of never being good enough in my childhood, I had developed this wretched habit of wanting to ensure that everyone else around me was happy……no matter the cost to me. Not that I have mastered the ability to understand that I am not responsible for their happiness…..but I have begun understanding that I don’t have to live life striving for their acceptance…… a good thing too, because I don’t know that it would ever happen!!

I learned to focus on the plan God gives me, the outcome He is pointing me to, and the goodness of His sovereignty.

Jesus willingly went out of His way to talk to a Samaritan woman about the life-giving Water that He has to offer. He did this so that she would know……
1. Regardless of her being a Samaritan, she was just as welcomed in His presence as anyone else. And …..
2. Jesus is where we find our acceptance regardless of where we are.

I don’t know about you…..but there are days that I am soo thirsty.

At times I find myself thirsting for a cool drink of water to course through my body and hydrate my soul. And then there are the days that I may find myself dehydrated because I haven’t taken the proper time to come to the well of God’s word and drink. Or I may be thirsty for something more…something that will refresh my taste buds after I have sat at the table of God’s manna.

Friend, don’t allow yourself to be swallowed up by the implications of what others believe you need to do for acceptance. Throw that mess on the burn pile and let it “burn, baby, burn.” You don’t even have to watch it…unless it is a windy day… then you may want to ensure that you don’t allow the embers to fall in other areas of your life.

Take time this week to enjoy the taste of the Living Water by writing out the scripture plan and spending time with Jesus in worship….. Happy Drinking my Friend!!!