Everything is going to be all right. It’s up to you. “What do you mean? It’s all up to me?” There’s a stream of hope that runs through “believers.” That stream speaks to us. That stream assures us. It comforts. It guides. It’s the voice that speaks to us with quiet certainty and assurance. Everything is all right, but you need to make the right choices.
Yes, it is true you can choose but think through your thoughts to determine if it is the right choice. Just because it’s glamorous doesn’t make it right. The wrong choice or the choice that the world wants you to make may not be what the Lord is advising you. And the clamorous joy in the world that makes everything look glorious and fun, fun, fun feeling good all the time…watch out.
Remember, a wrong choice made impulsively and/or instantaneously could cost your life or others’ lives. What your choice is does not always stop just at you. It affects others too. If you are a family, your choice bears on them too and could bear on your employment and your entire life and future. Well, what do I need to do to get this and keep it?
The woman at the well who faithfully came to draw water was right on time. She apparently had been coming to the well with a vision of hope…perhaps thinking about the multiple husbands she previously had. She must have worn discouragement and disappointment for years. She’s now living with another man who is not her husband.
Her sadness was seen by the Messiah. He was a distance away but took another route to get to Samaria. He had gone a roundabout way to get to see the woman of Samaria at the well. Did he know she would be there? Knowing Jesus, He may have known because He is omniscient. Whichever way it was, there she was at the well right on time to have her questions answered, her hope fulfilled.
Jesus and the woman of Samaria had a long conversation (John 4:1–42). She says, “They say the Messiah is coming. He will show us all things.” His reply was, “I am He who speaks to you.” I am your eternal hope who will answer your questions and give you “the living water, the gift of life.” She was delighted and wanted that everlasting water and her well would not run dry.
The eternal water will be the Holy Spirit that will spring up in you with the attributes and blessings of the Christ. It will refresh you daily and at all times. Not only will you be refreshed with cool water, but once you accept Him as the Messiah, you will bear that light that He has and will share it with you through the Holy Spirit. His light pierces through the darkness. Even the darkness is light to Him. He opens up a way when you don’t know the way. He takes little steps for you and bigger steps to guide you out of the darkness.
He spoke to the sons of Zebedee who were guided by their mother to seek greed instead of humility and service to others. They wanted the choice of seats in His kingdom. Jesus answered them, “You can participate in the same kinds of suffering as I; but the kingdom seating arrangements, that’s reserved seating left up to the Father who has prepared those for whom they are reserved (Mark 10:35-45).”
He begins to talk to them about unselfish servant leadership and following. Serving first, rewards later. You can’t climb in on the top. You have to do some work. What kind of work could that be? Develop and commit the heart to serve. Thirst for righteousness, right attitude, humility, patience, calm, quiet thinking {thinking things through}, a peaceful spirit, spending time with the Master to hear His voice, and willingness to follow His wisdom-guided advice transmitted by Christ. What is the teaching? Pray. He is the link.
Do not listen to the cluttering voices of the world. What’s the world? Greed, selfishness, empty-headed boisterous illusions that suck you in and suck you up, hypocritical thinking and actions. Saying one thing and doing something else; lying, deceit, just to name a few.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Or Questions? Please let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible, Wikipedia.org. Don’t stop praying and hoping. “Today is another great day to do good and be successful.”
