“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

My husband, Steve, loves to golf. When he was invited to play one of the area’s most prestigious courses, he jumped at the chance, knowing it was a rare treat.

As they pulled the cart up to the sixth tee, Steve scanned the tree-lined fairway. Gorgeous azaleas lay in full bloom. Several mansions surrounded the green. Sparkling swimming pools, manicured lawns, and luxury cars were all around. Steve’s host began to unfold the stories behind those walls.

“See that first house? Those folks are separated. The wife had two affairs, and her husband finally left. And that second house? The wife has caught her husband with a prostitute twice. She wants to divorce him, but she’s recently inherited millions from her father and doesn’t want her husband to get any of the money. She’s trying to figure out the best way to get out of the marriage and keep her money.

“And that third house, the one with the yard that looks somewhat unkempt? That couple also got a divorce, and their house has been for sale for seven months.” (Yes, he was gossiping. A topic for another day.)

Steve was struck by the broken lives surrounding him. Later he told me, “These were people who had achieved everything they thought would make them happy, and they were miserable.”

“Do you think they wanted more?” I asked.

“No,” he replied. “I think they wanted something different, but they don’t even know what that different is.”

The Samaritan woman at the well had the same problem. She wanted something different. She was thirsty and didn’t even know what she was thirsty for.

We all come into the world thirsty. From that first cry in the delivery room, babies long for something to drink. God planned it that way.

We also come into the world spiritually thirsty. After the nourishing umbilical cord is severed, we begin our journey to discover living water to satisfy the soul. Oh, we don’t know it yet, but God’s placed the desire for something more in every one of His image bearers.

Until we meet Jesus, we fumble about trying to quench the God-given thirst with anything and anyone who offers temporary relief. But it’s just that … temporary.

Jesus explained, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13b-14).

It is only in a relationship with Jesus that we discover what we’re all truly longing for.

I’ve been like the Samaritan woman — drinking from shallow streams. Maybe not the same shallow stream, but unsatisfying ones nonetheless. All of them left me thirsty for more — or at least something different. Jesus offers us what He offered her: freely flowing, resplendently refreshing water from the indwelling Holy Spirit that quenches every thirst, washes away every sin and flows into every nook and cranny of our beings.

It’s like being near a lake. I can look at the lake, swim in the lake, even stand in the lake and still die of thirst. The only way for the water to enter my system is to actually drink it.

Likewise, we can read about Jesus, hear sermons about Jesus, even believe He was a good man. But until we actually believe Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah, who died for our sins and rose again … until we partake of Jesus and make Him Lord of our lives, we’ll remain thirsty.

“I’ll be happy if …” How would you finish that sentence? If I had a man? A baby? A bigger house? A smaller waistline? If it’s anything other than a personal, growing, intimate relationship with Jesus, your water bucket will remain riddled with holes.

Today, I’m honored to sit by the well with you. Let’s fill our buckets and drink deeply.

Lord, so many times I falsely think people, possessions or position will make me happy. But I know all those externals won’t bring true joy and contentment. Thank You for waiting for me by the well today. Remind me to come often. Show me how to drink deeply from Your living water. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

John 7:37b-38, “Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (NIV)

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Do you want to learn more about how to drink deeply? To let go of all that holds you back? Check out Sharon Jaynes’ book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold.

CONNECT:

If you would like to learn how to accept Jesus Christ or need verses to help you share the good news of Jesus with a friend, click over to Sharon’s website for a printable of Bible verses titled “Seeking God.”

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What are a few shallow streams you’ve drunk from in the past? What was the result?

Read John 4:1-38. What do you think changed in the Samaritan woman’s life once she discovered what “living water” really meant? How has knowing the “living water” changed your life?

© 2017 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.