Come and Drink

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 4:14

I walked down the hallway and up the ramp to the water fountain. I was surprised to see several waiting. I fell in line and watched the clear liquid splashing in each cup or bottle. I listened to the chatter of my coworkers and smiled at the quips. I thought about how fortunate we were that we have water flowing clean, clear, and crisp. It gushed in an unending stream. Filling cup after cup. Just there for the taking.

Holding my empty bottle, the story of the woman at the well sprang in my thoughts. (John 4:1-42) Like the people of the day, we each had brought vessels to carry our water back to our respective desk. One even had a coffee pot. We each waited our turn for our share of the filtered refresher. Without a doubt, we all would return for a refill.

The woman at the well came late in the day to fill her jugs. She came late because she was despised by those in her village. She wanted to avoid their stares and judgment. She quickly followed the lonely path to the well. The midday sun heated the sand and scorched the bottom of her bare feet. Sweat beaded on her brow her tongue was parched. She had been waiting all morning to come for her share.

I imagine she was more than just surprised when she came into the clearing and found a man there. A Jewish man with kind eyes that he did not divert when she emerged from the pathway. Instead, his eyes met hers with compassion she had never experienced. He was poised on the bricks that of the well, his hands folded in his lap as if waiting. He addressed her kindly and asked for a ladle of water. In return, He offered her a gift. Living water. She did not have to wait in line. Instead, He waited for her.

You do not have to wait for His forgiveness or salvation. You don’t have to wait until you feel worthy or ready. He is waiting for you by the well. Waiting for you to come and drink.

Typist for Jesus