“Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:14)
READ
REFLECT
What fulfills you? What do you thirst for? Do you live for the weekend? Do you live to experience certain aspects of life? Do you seek fulfillment through wealth and earthly success? These are ways many of us seek fulfillment. This is what we thirst for. But, for many others, ultimate fulfillment is found through seeking human approval. And, Jesus says we are in danger when this happens. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26)
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well. Her gender, genetics, and moral background made her an unlikely candidate for the attention of a Jewish Rabbi. “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” (John 4:9). But, this did not stop Jesus from asking to drink after this woman. Their conversation about “living water” led to her relationship baggage. She had been dumped five times and was now living with a man. She was desperately searching for fulfillment through acceptance from a man. Jesus informed her that relationship issues were only a symptom of a deeper problem. She had a worship problem.
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). Essentially, He was saying: Your search for fulfillment is over! Never thirst again. You have found the truth. This is the one way to God.
We share this same search with the Samaritan woman. Through our search for fulfillment, we are really seeking God. Jesus tells us to worship. Be completely fulfilled in Him. This will not occur simply through a religious practice at a fixed location. It is accomplished “in spirit.” And, it can only be done through the true way to God, which is through Jesus Himself. Access to God, and ultimate fulfillment, is found by accepting Him as your only Savior.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
RESPOND
- What have you attempted to use for ultimate fulfillment?
- How has the search for human approval denied you fulfillment?
- How can you demonstrate your satisfaction with God through your training?
God is my strength. I workout because I will be a soldier in the army of the Lord.
I have tried to find ultimate fulfillment in the praise of others and by trying to make others proud of me. This search for human approval left me empty because even when you attain someone’s approval you now constantly have to strive to keep their approval and praise. I know that I can demonstrate my satisfaction with God through my training by being thankful for all that He allows me to do and not become angry when I don’t meet my own expectations or be disappointed with my performance.