Leave the Water Pot

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.-John 4:28-30 

Years ago the Lord gave me this message to share in a women’s fellowship. At that time, I was in school, working, in ministry at my church, with three girls in school. My plate was full!

But also at this time, I had some friends under the attack of the enemy. He was going for the jugular vein, so to speak. They were in crisis mode, and I was exhausted with the must dos of life.

When I was asked to speak the Lord led me to this passage. 

What can easily be overlooked is the background of what is happening. This woman came out to draw water when she knew no one else would be there because she was an adulterous woman. She had already had five husbands and was living with a man. She couldn’t have been very popular with the women. 

Water is very important in our lives, and it had to be in hers. When she came to the well, she just wanted to get her water and return to her life as quickly and quietly as possible. In the natural.

But I believe she was crying out in her heart! Wanting a change, needing a change, and not knowing how to go about that change. Yes, she was a woman with questionable character, but she was also woman who was being abused by the men in her town. Her heart was aching.

Then she met Jesus! Wonderful Savior! He touched her in places her husbands and her lover was incapable of touching. And she, who was an outcast in society, was so blessed by her encounter she had to tell someone. And what did she do?

She left her water pot. The same water pot that she needed to bring water into her home for living, she left! The same water that was so important to her that she went to draw it in the heat of the day. Yes, that water! But she left that water pot and the water at the well and she went to tell the town about Jesus!

The Holy Spirit showed me how the water pot represented the important things in our lives. Just like she needed that water, we need to feed and clothe our families, we need to do our jobs, we need to clean our houses, and work in ministry (we are all called to some type of ministry), and be wives, husbands, moms, friends, etc… But no matter how busy things get, there are going to be times in our lives when we have to leave what is important to us, to do what is important to Him.

Although it came with great sacrifice, I became that listening ear, that sounding board, that voice of encouragement, that prayer warrior, often times with little strength left in me. And some how it got done, or we were able to make do without it. 

The woman at the well led her entire village to Jesus because she was so enthralled with Him that she forgot about her own needs long enough to realize that her village had a greater need; to meet the Messiah! I was instrumental in helping a family that was struggling in their faith, their finances, and their marriage, to keep their eyes on Jesus. The last time we spoke, about two years ago, they were doing well in every area of life! To God be the glory!

With all that I have on my plate still, it is sometimes difficult to pull away and be available to someone, not because of ministry responsibilities but because He has given me a sphere of influence in that life, and I’m the one they need to reach out to them.  It’s not always easy, but He doesn’t always call us to the easy life. People are hurting and they need the Lord. They need to know that He cares, He heals, He forgives, He delivers, He is Messiah!

When was the last time you left your water pot to meet someone’s need that was greater than yours. Yes, you need certain things in life, and so do your family; but there are times when someone will need you more because it is literally a matter of life and death, eternally!  

Because He reminded me of this tonight, I thought I would blog about it. Maybe you needed the reminder also! Wonderful Jesus!