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I'm not overweight, quite the contrary, but sometimes I overeat. This happens during times of boredom, or most often, in times of emotional stress. I'm not really hungry, but in my restlessness, I reason that keeping my mouth busy would help. So I search the cupboards and fridge to see what there is to nibble on. It's as if I'm trying to fill an empty hole in my life in my own way. But in the end, overeating doesn't bring satisfaction to my soul.
My husband, on the other hand, can't eat when he's stressed or emotionally upset. Or even when he's busy, or involved in something, food is the last thing on his mind.
Neither was Jesus thinking about food as he sat by a well near the Samaritan village of Sychar. As it was noon, the disciples had gone to the village to buy some lunch, and He was tired from walking. Despite his weariness, Jesus, as always, was alert to the possibilities around Him. Soon, a woman came along to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. A discussion took place, and Jesus ended up offering her a different kind of water, living water.
The Samaritan woman discovered new life through the living water Jesus offered her. Despite the taboo against talking to Samaritans, especially women, and those known to be living in sin, Jesus readily offered the woman a solution for the longing she didn't know how to express. (See John 4:1-38)
As the Samaritan woman shared in the village what Jesus had shown her, “the people came streaming from the village to see him.” (John 4:30 NLT) Many became believers.
When the disciples came back from shopping, they urged Jesus to have some of the food they had bought. They couldn't understand why He didn't seem interested in eating.
“But Jesus replied, 'I have a kind of food you know nothing about ... My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work.'” (John 4:32, 34 NLT)
Doing what His heavenly Father wanted was the main focus of Jesus' life. By the end of His life, Jesus was satisfied that He had accomplished His mission on earth. As He prayed to the Father, Jesus said, “'I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.'” (John 17:4 NLT)
Jesus urges us, “'Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.'” (John 4:35b NLT)
Let's imitate Jesus, and be energized by the same zeal as we relate to the people around us. Jesus was in tune with His heavenly Father, and spent long hours praying to Him. Let's be steadfast in our spiritual disciplines, and resolve to prioritize praying for those not yet believers. Jesus was alert to the needs around Him. He spoke to, and even touched those that others deemed undesirable. As we allow ourselves to daily receive the love of the Father, we can have the same interest and compassion for others, rather than just “doing our own thing”. Sharing God's love with others is like spiritual vitamins. That is what really brings satisfaction to our souls.
Alice Burnett,
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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