ART & INSPIRATION FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Whenever I see a water fall, I think of living water. It’s water that begins as a little trickle, bubbling over a rocky crevasse and down into a serene pool of everlasting life.

She wasn’t one of them. She was used to being ignored and bullied. She came from a different place and definitely didn’t fit in. So, she waited until they were all finished with their tasks before she came to do hers. She had a reputation, you see. One of the oldest professions for women. She wasn’t proud of herself, but she had no choice – or did she? When she got there, a man was waiting. He began to talk to her and told her things about herself that she had tried to forget. Who was this man? He was talking to her – a woman of ill repute – an outcast and interloper from a town that most folks rejected. Yet, this stranger was so much different than any other. He offered her what He called, “living water.” He continued to speak of this water that would entirely quench her thirst. It would well up and give eternal life. Of course, she asked for some of this special liquid.

When Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well, He was tired and thirsty, which shows His humanity. Offering her a drink that would lead to eternal life made her question if He might be the Messiah everyone was talking about. Who was this man? Both man and God. Divinely true in words and deeds. He tested her conscience and made her think. She ran back to her town to tell of this One who knew everything about her. She might be considered one of the first missionaries, spreading the truth about Jesus – both Son of God and Son of man. Her life changed after this encounter. Jesus changes everything. He is the promised Messiah, come to save His people from their sins.

Thank you, Jesus, for your blessings of truth. We need to realize our sins and repent of them, knowing that you paid the eternal price for our forgiveness. We’re all strangers in this world. We face daily attacks from those who don’t really know us. You know us inside and out, because You are God. Your unconditional love saves us, but it is up to us to change our ways and not return to the sin that broke us in the first place. Give us the wisdom to follow you to the ends of the earth. AMEN!