Today’s Reading: Genesis 24 & 29, Exodus 2

IT WAS EVENING AND REBEKAH DID THE SAME THING SHE DID EVERY EVENING.

Rebekah gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well along with the other women. Perhaps the water would be used to prepare the evening meal or to water the garden where she grew food for her family. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a walk with the other women.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Rebekah’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Today there was a servant with 10 camels kneeling close to the well. Rebekah went down to the spring, filled her jug and then came up again. The servant ran over to her and asked her for a drink. Without hesitation, Rebekah quickly lowered her water jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. She offered to draw water for all 10 camels and quickly emptied the remainder of the jug into the trough and returned to the spring over and over again, drawing perhaps as much as 250 gallons of water for the camels (Genesis 24).

I wonder what Rebekah’s reaction was when the servant gave her a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists. Had she ever been given a gift of such value? Did she realize the significance of the gift? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Rebekah was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey, willing to go wherever God wanted her to be – even if that was a very long way from her family and friends, from the life she had always known. God blessed her generously and she became a matriarch in the lineage of the Messiah.

IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND RACHEL DID THE SAME THING SHE DID EVERY DAY.

Rachel gathered her father’s flock and led them to the well to give them something to drink. Every day she made this trip to the well, waiting until the other shepherds all arrived and together moved the stone from the mouth of the well. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a quiet walk with the sheep.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Rachel’s life was forever changed. Today was different from other days. Today there was a stranger talking with the other shepherds at the well. He was a kind man who moved the stone from the mouth of the well and watered her father’s flock for her. His name was Jacob (Genesis 29).

I wonder what Rachel’s reaction was when this handsome man kissed her and then began to cry. Had anyone ever kissed her before? Did she realize the significance of this moment? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Rachel was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey. God blessed her generously, and she experienced what it was to be loved and highly favored by a man of God.

IT WAS EVENING AND ZIPPORAH DID THE SAME THING SHE DID EVERY EVENING.

Zipporah gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well with her six sisters. Every evening the girls made this trip to the well, bringing back water to fill the troughs for their father’s flocks. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a walk with her sisters.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Zipporah’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Today there were cruel shepherds at the well who chased them away, keeping them from what they needed to do. But there was also a hero at the well who swept in and rescued the girls from the shepherds. His name was Moses (Exodus 2).

I wonder what Zipporah’s reaction was when this handsome man dressed as an Egyptian prince came to her rescue. Had anyone ever done something of that kind of value for her before? Did she realize the significance of this moment? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Zipporah was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey – a journey that would someday take her a very long way from her family and friends, from the life she had always known. God blessed her generously and she had a front row seat to watching her husband be used by God to rescue His people out of slavery.

IT WAS NOON AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN DID THE SAME THING SHE DID EVERY DAY.

She gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well alone. Every day she made this trip to the well by herself, avoiding the other women who would come to the well later in the day. She wanted to avoid the stares and the whispering, the condemnation she knew she deserved. But there was a hero at the well that day, a Savior who knew her secrets and offered her living water.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” – John 4:13-14

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that the Samaritan’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Her heart leapt at the thought of a different life, a life in which she would no longer need to face the condemnation of others each day. She understood the value of the gift she was being offered when Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” (John 4:26). She ran to the village and brought many Samaritans back to the well to meet Jesus.

The Samaritan woman was simply living out her routine of daily coming to the well and Jesus met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey – a journey that would take her a long way from the sinful life she had known for so long; a life in which she would never thirst again.

It is in living out a routine of daily spending time at the well that OUR lives can be changed forever. God meets us when we faithfully spend time in His presence. Many days it will feel the same, like routine. But there will be days in which God gives us a moment that will change our lives forever. He has a plan for our lives and He longs to guide us daily on our new journey – a journey with God-moments, opportunities, and living water.

And all who thirst will thirst no more, / And all who search will find what their souls long for, / The world will try, but it can never fill, / So leave it all behind, and come to the well. [Mark Hall, Matthew West; sung by Casting Crowns]

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8