But the well is deep...

As I read Oswald Chambers this morning, I couldn't help but share it. As I shared in my previous blog, our Bible study theme this year has been “Come Thirsty.” And I believe we have. Like Christ at the well with the Samaritan woman, I believe God has offered us Living Water each time we met- just for the asking. And yet, although we know we are thirsty and drink that in, there are some very deep wells that seem unsatisfied for me and for others.
Perhaps Oswald Chamber's insight may speak Truth to a hidden well in your life:

"The Impoverished Ministry of Jesus 02/37

Where then do You get that living water? —John 4:11 “The well is deep”— and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew! (John 4:11). Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the “wells” in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life? Suppose that you have a deep “well” of hurt and trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says to you, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:1). Would your response be to shrug your shoulders and say, “But, Lord, the well is too deep, and even You can’t draw up quietness and comfort out of it.” Actually, that is correct. Jesus doesn’t bring anything up from the wells of human nature— He brings them down from above.

We limit the Holy One of Israel by remembering only what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and also by saying, “Of course, I cannot expect God to do this particular thing.” The thing that approaches the very limits of His power is the very thing we as disciples of Jesus ought to believe He will do. We impoverish and weaken His ministry in us the moment we forget He is almighty. The impoverishment is in us, not in Him. We will come to Jesus for Him to be our comforter or our sympathizer, but we refrain from approaching Him as our Almighty God. 

The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, “Of course, He can’t do anything about this.” We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, “It can’t be done.” You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him."

So, has your trust in God's ability been drained by past disappointments? 

Have you also thought in disbelief, Lord, "The well is deep" ... too deep" even for Him?

ME TOO.

That's why I am so thankful to be reminded God is the Almighty!

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Gen 18:14a

I love how Jesus spoke to the woman at the well. In the midst of her questions He spoke with compassion and hope. He is not afraid of our past, because he can work it for good in the future.

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Heb 2:18

And I am reminded that my part is surrendering my bucket. Fixing my eyes on Him, rather than me; yielding to the Truth that sets me free. 

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Heb 7:25

LORD, forgive our unbelief. By clinging to the wells of the past and those we’ve fashioned by ourselves- we have forgotten that YOU ARE ABLE. Help us to abandon and surrender to you those wells that don’t satisfy. Bestow on us faith to believe you are able to bring life to the places we think you can't. Help us to trust you when your fulfillment does not look like what we thought it would; reminding us that you work all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.