He knew all about the woman’s life before she told Him anything.

It didn’t take long for her to figure this out. She heard His probing description of her personal life and quickly bounced the conversation in a different direction. That’s in verse 20 of John 4 – the story of the Samaritan woman.

More than knowing about her life circumstances, Jesus knew what she needed… she needed water that would satisfy more than water from the ancient well she came to get water from. She needed living water – His life being poured into hers.

I’m not much different than the Samaritan woman. I look for satisfaction from sources that won’t fill the hole. I often think, “If I could just have this happen, I’d be satisfied.” Or, “If I could just get an iPhone, I wouldn’t be ashamed when I go to business meetings.”

You and I both know that things and circumstances won’t fill our deepest desires. Even relationships won’t. Things, circumstances, great food, excellent coffee or significant relationships will meet some of our desires. And oftentimes those are OK or even good. But when I look to anything other than Jesus for filling my deep need for fulfillment, I will ultimately come away empty. That realization may take an hour – or months – but eventually it will hit.

Jesus always wants me back. He didn’t tell the Samaritan woman how wrong she was. He just invited her to drink the living water. Once she realized what he was talking about, she dropped everything to tell her friends and family. They came and believed too.

If it’s real, we will want to share it. If it’s not real for you today, ask Jesus to make His living water more real. He will.

Wait. Ask again. And rest while you wait.

(Paul Merrill normally writes here every First Friday. Because of the advent series starting tomorrow, he’s writing on the last Wednesday of the month.)