Who are you, and why do you speak to me?
There he sat, looking hungry and exhausted. He must have walked all the way here. His feet looked very dusty too.
All these men who keep coming my way!
They all want something from me. None of them have come for my benefit!
After they’ve taken, they just leave…
Now this one?! He’s not even my type… and I’m certainly not his type either. I wonder why he’s even talking to me.
Please give me some water to drink ma’am. He said calmly.
I certainly cannot go anywhere unnoticed huh? I have just come to fetch water in peace o! Couldn’t this man have gotten water before I got here? Why does he have to ask me?
I’m tired of men! They have ruined my life!
Where are all the other girls that come by here to fetch water? Am I unlucky yet again today? If anyone sees me here alone with this man, I’ll be accused of being flirtatious! Oh no!
Ma’am, ma’am? He called, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts. I asked if I can have some water please?
I heard you the first time. But you know, men like you shouldn’t be seen talking with women like me. I took one hard look at him. By this time, I became more inquisitive. What was his story? His kind would naturally be disgusted by the very sight of me. I’m not sure it’s only water he wants.
And then his face wore a mild cheer, as he responded.
If only you knew who i was, you’d be the one asking me to give you more than just water. You’d ask for the kind of water that never stops flowing, and quenches one’s thirst forever.
This is just risible! I thought. You don’t even have something with which to fetch water to quench your thirst, and you want to give me this special kind of water? I asked him. You must really think you’re something!
You’ll keep coming to fetch because you’ll always get thirsty. But my kind of water quenches the thirst, and would keep flowing in a person’s life forever.
I had no clue what he was talking about, but at least if I got this kind of water, I won’t need to be taking these long trips under the scorching sun, just to fetch water. So I asked him to give me some of this water.
Go and call your husband ma’am. He said. Changing the conversation completely.
I’m not married! I blurted… maybe slightly disappointed that he didn’t find me young and attractive after all.
Ah yes! You’ve spoken the truth ma’am. You’ve been married 5 times, and the man you’re currently with isn’t your husband. He answered with that same cheer on his face.
My eyes widened! Who is this man, and how does he know so much about me? Oh the people of Sychar! You have told my story even to strangers! I turned my face away from his gentle, yet piercing eyes.
You must be a prophet… I said, my head bowed, pretending to now pay attention to my water fetching.
I’ll know if he’s truly a prophet if he can answer some of the questions I’ve kept in my heart for awhile now.
I have been trying so much to get close to God, to even know how and where to worship him. This insatiable longing I felt on the inside, no man has been able to satisfy. Perhaps Mr. Prophet could help me out here.
Tell me sir, where can I worship God? I want to really know him. How can he be reached?
Where you worship the Father, isn’t as important as how you worship him. Do you know Him? He is Spirit, and that’s the kind of worship he wants from you- a true, spiritual worship. Only when you know Him, can you truly worship Him.
So this prophet not only knew about me, he also knows God. He also seems to know God rather too well. He calls Him Father. I want to know God like this too…
But only the Messiah can tell us everything when he comes. I said, wondering how he knew so much.
“I am the Messiah.” He said
And in that moment, it all came together!
It’s been him all this time!
I was in complete shock! I’ve been speaking to the Messiah all this time? Wh..why me though? Why did he choose to talk with me?
No! I couldn’t take all these alone, I have to tell everyone else.
I left my bucket of water, with him still sitting there, and I ran to the village square.
As I ran, I played it all again. The Messiah needed water, and I didn’t give him. Instead I was busy thinking of myself, and all my questions! Oh dear! And he still sat patiently tolerating me. And those eyes… I knew there was something to him!
Everyone! Come! Finally, a man who knows all about me, and everything I ever did has come to me… could he be the Messiah?
As I went back home that evening, i knew for the first time in my life, that I had been found. There was no need to look for satisfaction in any other man, it had been in only one man all the while- the Messiah. The Messiah himself. He knows me! And he has come to me!
He has given me that water he spoke about… the one that keeps on running.
I’ll forever be satisfied knowing that the Messiah found me. This was enough for me.
Paula Young
March 7, 2018
12:00am
Love's Voice 