When you don't have what it takes...

In John 4 we read, "Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 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.”

Here we see Jesus visit with the Samaritan woman who finds herself with greater need than perhaps she even realized up until that moment. The rest of the text demonstrates a cycle of broken relationships. Something is not working. The emotional repercussions, reputation, stigmas, doubts and fears that come with that history is a web that can entangle and trip up even the strongest of us. No doubt the need is great. The thirst for peace and security and hope would be paralyzing. Yet, with no lack of need and an offer that's hard to refuse she looks at Jesus before her and doubts His ability to draw water from the well, "You have no bucket with which to draw this water and this well is deep." How could it even be? And if you even could... for me? If only you knew what I've done and where I've been surely you'd not even entertain a conversation with me much less present an offer to quench my thirst.

Recently as the Lord led me to this passage, conviction landed deep in my soul. How often do I have a core need to be fulfilled -emotional, relational, spiritual, physical or financial? And yet, my posture towards my Jesus is the same? But Lord you don't actually have a legit banking account to draw from? But Lord, this longing is in my flesh for flesh to fulfill... Jesus you no longer are accessible in flesh and blood how could you ever? Lord I have this need... but it is great(deep) and I do not see how you have what it takes to fulfill or satisfy it (no bucket to draw with)... Oh Father, forgive my unbelief.

Whatever it is that you are facing, I pray that you not be limited by what you see or don't see.

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Matt 6:8 nudges us with the Truth that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him." And Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." That need is not just financial or tangible... God is able to supply ALL our need! What is it that you see lacking? What are you longing for? What great need exists for you? Where are you seeking to find that?

There's one place to seek for it that will produce life..."But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

That need is for you. It is to drive you and others to Jesus that you might believe even fuller and that He might be glorified in it... It is to serve you so that You know Him in even greater ways. Our God is for us with a plan and purpose. He allows the need to develop that He might joyfully and faithfully be the fulfiller of it.

Remember- when you don't have what it takes. He always does.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Hebrews 9:24

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Worship with me:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X3vgt3WVyg "You can rest" by Hillary Scott