I went on a hike recently and found this beautiful stream of water. The sound of it flowing over rocks and debris was soothing. I crouched down and prayed. I had a lot on my mind and needed to release and cast off the disturbing and doubting thoughts circling my brain, something else to focus on…
Soon, I became mesmerized by the water itself, the graceful way it moved and curved over and under the objects in its path, all synchronized to the sounds of the outside world. I arose following this stream, trekking along the uneven banks, watching it expand until it eventually led to a larger body of water. When I couldn’t go any further, I saw it rolling into a cascading waterfall over bigger rocks and boulders. Ah, what a gorgeous sight.
This beautiful canvas of water, this living water, full of microbes, was drink and nourishment to the animals, birds, and critters in this particular forest. It reminded me of a scripture story in the Bible, the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:1-30.
Jesus, tired from his travels to Galilee, stopped at “Jacob’s Well” from Genesis 29:2-21. This is the well that was part of the land that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. It is located near Sychar, in Samaria.
A woman came to the well to draw water; it’s noon, and the hottest time of the day. No one is around, only Jesus himself. Thirsty, He asked her for a drink. But, there was another point of why He was there. This woman was an adulterer and was ostracized by the town. She had had a few husbands and was now living with another man, who was not her spouse. But Jesus saw her.
Jesus spoke with her, sharing the purpose of the well, like my stream, it was for drink, a “thirst-quencher”. It had another purpose. Jesus compared himself to the well and told the woman that this water would only quench her thirst, going back over and over. He was the “Living Water” (symbolizing eternal life). He knew of her trespasses and sins. He didn’t reprimand her, only asked her to repent, never sin again, and follow Him. In doing so, she would be set free!
Upon hearing these words from Jesus, the woman left her waterpot and ran into the city, calling on the men. “Come, see a Man who told me all the things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” It’s true. Jesus is all we need; He alone can satisfy us.
I believe I was brought to the stream and waterfall as a reminder of where I should put my faith and trust. Jesus is the real “Living Water”. Those who fill up on Him through His Word every single day will not thirst for the things of this world.
Today is the day. What are you going to choose? Living Water or “Living Water”?