The Drawing of the Lord

By Cyndi

The other day I was reading through John 4 about Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, and I saw such an intricate plan of God revealed in their conversations. First I noticed how Jesus gently engages with her, asking for a drink, and how He entices her with a riddle to prick her mind–”Sir, you have nothing to draw with…where do you get that living water?” He draws her in closer, explaining how wonderful this water is and how there is hope and life in it. She leans into His words.

But then He mentions the issue about her husband, or rather, husbands, and she goes into all kinds of diversions, hoping to avoid the true issue in her heart. She is living in denial, trying to ignore the giant love deficit in her life. It is extremely painful for her to look into her heart and really see what is there, yet Jesus’ mercy and kindness is so pure, she ventures in. He slowly exposes her, all the while tenderly showing His love, even in the midst of the ugliness–but truth–of her past. His compassion finally gets to the core of her being as she uncaringly leaves her water jar at the well and runs back into town.

In this story, the Lord draws this Samaritan woman to Himself and she feels true, unconditional love probably for the first time in her life. Her sins were uncovered, yet she felt a blanket of love around her. This great love gave her the courage to unmask herself to the point that she even tells others about Him, and how He can make them also feel such freedom.

This is such a wonderful example of how the Lord draws us. There are many times when I sense the Lord probing me. Sometimes I am in denial about issues in my life and I’m trying to avoid dealing with them. I don’t like feeling the pain so I stuff them into a corner of my heart with a “Do Not Disturb” sign over them daring anyone to bring up the matter.

But God is faithful to gently draw me to Himself, even as He did this woman. He unveils and exposes me, not to ridicule and shame me, but to cleanse me and heal me.

May we all be attentive to His drawing this week.

Father is Love!

Father does all in Love

1 John 4:8 …God is love. Love is who God is, His very essence. Therefore, God basis everything He does is in love. God never thinks a negative or critical thought about you. He thinks good thoughts toward you, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer.29:11)

Father is Not Insecure!

Think of your Father in heaven all loving, all knowing, all powerful. What could ever cause Him to feel threatened or insecure? Being critical and negative are defense mechanisms people use when they have been hurt and do not want to be hurt again. God is not sitting in heaven thinking that you just do not ever get it right or will not ever be obedient, so He is fed up with you and ready to abandon you.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Father’s Plans toward You are Loving

Father is in heaven thinking how much He loves you, and in His omnipotence and omniscience is planning to bring you into the very best He has for you, what will fit you perfectly for the way He created you. His plan for you really is above all you could ask or even imagine. (Eph.3:20)

When God thinks of you as His child, it sends a thrill through His heart and He rejoices over you with joy and singing! (Zephaniah 3:17)

Is this the God you know?