If

If you never felt pain, Then how would you know that I’m a Healer?

If you never went through difficulty, How would you know that I’m a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I’m a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I’m forgiving?

If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for?

Author unknown (but thanks for writing this)

A woman, a well, and Jesus

Written by Tyler Hannan

In John 4 there is a story

a story of a woman
and a well

and Jesus

a story we are all, likely, familiar with...

a woman
a well
and Jesus

as the story progresses, we find out details
details about this woman
about her life
her pain
her brokeness

a woman with 5 husbands
a woman living with a man who isn't her husband
at a well
in the middle of the day

when you draw water
you draw it in the morning
you draw it in the evening
but not

in the heat of the day

so why was this woman at the well in the middle of the day?

because of the others who came to the well
her brokenness
and their comments
caused her such pain that she traveled
in the heat of the day
to a well

a woman
a well
and Jesus

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirst again, but whoever drinks the water i give them will never thirst"

at times this story is told
as a story of crossing a racial divide
or crossing a gender divide
or the forgiveness of sin
a story told where Jesus accuses the woman of sin
a story told where Jesus acknowledges the woman's failing

but, regardless of the telling
there is one common element

love.

this woman
at a well
in the heat of the day

replies to Jesus and says

"I know the Messiah is coming and when he comes he will explain everything to us"

and Jesus replies
Jesus replies
5 letters
3 words

I AM HE

a declaration of divinity
an acknowledgment of being the Messiah

finding a woman
at a well
in the heat of the day

hiding
hiding from the accusation of others
hiding from the condemnation of the crowd
searching,
waiting,
for the coming of the Messiah

I AM HE

waiting
for water that fills
water that heals
water that is readily available

I AM HE

waiting
so her spirit doesn't thirst
so her pain can be addressed

and there He is

a woman
a well
brokenness
sin

the Messiah offering water

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 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."

I AM HE

the call is the same
if you thirst
drink
if you find yourself in the heat of the day
drink

but don't drink a cupful
don't find contentment in the least
when
water
is available

I AM HE
I AM HERE