I’m thirsty. Life’s demands are draining but truth-filled refreshment awaits us in God’s word. As I dive deeper into Scripture, the best “well” I know, I invite you to join me for the “Wisdom from The Well Series.”

We’ll explore what happens when we encounter God in the way we need Him most…in a way we least expect.

In this 3-part series, we’ll sit by a well with Jesus and a Samaritan woman. She considered herself an unworthy pick for alone time with the Savior. As we lean in and listen, I believe we’ll learn a few things about ourselves and prayerfully, more about Him too. Let’s get started…

“Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:5-10 NLT)

Whether you’re familiar with this story or you’re a first-time observer, what strikes you at first?

I notice Jesus’s humanity. I see how His need for rest and water echoes the woman’s spiritual condition. She doesn’t own it at first, but eventually we’ll see she’s tired and thirsty too.
Their encounter illustrates how God meets us where we are and how we are.

Where would Jesus meet you (think of where you go frequently)? How would His approach mirror your condition and speak to your need?

He might show up in a grocery store’s coffee and tea aisle to meet me. I imagine Him having a full grocery cart to show the many concerns on my heart and the multitude of His mercies.

He’d smile and steer the conversation toward a powerful truth. Initially, I’d fidget as I fight for my faith.

But He’d offer me His peace and a prepaid grocery cart with everything my family needs. However, I’d have to swap my cart for His, believing what He offers is best.

In your “well” experience with Him, is there a swap waiting for you?

Exchanging our timing for His timing, our plans for His purpose and our perspective for His wisdom is not easy to do.

But it’s essential if we don’t want to languish in our thirst.

For the nameless, but symbolic, Samaritan woman the focus is water — the most basic of substances required for our survival. Jesus, pursuing her soul, is the first to speak in their encounter. As He asked for drink, she was surprised He wanted anything from her.

But it was part of the Messiah’s Master plan. Throughout the Scriptures we see Him having close encounters with people who see themselves as unworthy and those who are marginalized. They seem to hold some special magnet for His grace.

What’s missing from your life? It’s a magnet for His grace too. He tells the woman at the well, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
If we only knew what God has for us, how would it impact what we’d ask? No matter what we desire, in Him there is always more.

There is more strength.

There is more wisdom.

In Christ, there’s more “living water” than we ever thought possible. It quenches any seemingly insatiable thirst. It soothes what feels like inconsolable pain.

May you experience more of who He is giving hope for your heart and joy to your soul.