The woman at the well

I’m imagining her now. Tired and thirsty from a long days work. For her ” work” was grueling and unbearable. She left part of her soul with every man that paid her a small wage for her body. She was thirsty for water, yes. But thirsty for a life free of sin and self hatred, she wanted freedom.

She just didn’t know how to break the chains.

Stepping up to the well, clay pot in hand she was offered by a man, a gentle man , fresh living water. He wanted to bless her AFTER hearing her story of her sins. Of her harsh lifestyle. He could see straight through her eyes into her soul.

She was focused on the law, Jesus had the agenda of grace.

She was the woman at the well.

We all know the story from Sunday School when we were young, but as an adult I haven’t studied her much. The bible doesn’t state her name, but it was the longest recorded conversation Jesus has ever had with a non believer. The bible clearly highlights her, and today I’d like to discuss her.

13-14 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

After studying her today I felt intense compassion for her. How many women are hungry and thirsty for his love and acceptance? How many women try and fill this void in their hearts , a place where he should dwell ?

I’ve been guilty of not spending enough time with Jesus, the turning around and getting angry at my husband for not paying enough attention to me. I was trying to place his role in the role of my Jesus . My husband cannot be everything I need. He is human too. We were designed to receive Christ love in an intimate way. And when we do not get that need met, we have a deep void. We can walk with The Lord for years and years and never know him intimately, the way he designed us to.

Often times we have a painful life, season, friendship, marriage or event occur in which we try and stuff ourselves with self fulfillment to replace the joy that was or is stolen. When really all we need is his living water to fill us.

When we accept his living water, there’s no need to keep going back to the well and asking for it. It’s already there, waiting for us to notice it. Waiting for us to get thirsty enough to drink it. We just need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves I. What areas do I need his water and not my own?

When we receive his living water, we need not ever thirst again. But this doesn’t only affect us , it affects people around us. Our relationship ships. Our marriage. Our children and our children’s children.

Let’s look at what happened when the woman at the well left Jesus.

28-30 The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” And they went out to see for themselves.

This living water didn’t just affect her, it affected a whole village. Imagine what could happen in your life today if you stopped striving in areas that Aren’t his living water for your life at that moment. Imagine if you stopped placing your identity and trust in things that aren’t flowing out of his living water.

Are you the woman at the well thirsty today? What areas are you filling up your cup with dead water, when the well before you and welling up inside you is living?