Afterwards you sit hopelessly looking at the shambles that you made and there in the most obvious place is the item you're looking for. At this time you're unable to even appreciate finding the item because you're too busy looking at the mess that you made while looking for it. The sad fact is the item was not really lost. It was there all along. You simply didn't look in the right place to begin with.
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." John 4:13-15Unfortunately, this is the way it is with life sometimes. The woman at the well was the perfect example. She wanted so much to find happiness, to find love and acceptance. She tried to find it in the arms of men, marrying and separating when they didn't live up to her expectations. Finally, she gave up on marriage after five times, but she still felt empty inside. All of her searching had gotten her nowhere. She was ostracized, hated, and looked down upon because she was searching for something to fill the empty spaces in her life.
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming.
When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared,
"I who speak to you am he." John 4:25-26 (NIV)
Sad isn't it? Often times in our search for happiness, we end up being wounded. Sometimes our wounds are so deep that what we are searching for may be right in front of us and we may not recognize it because we are searching in the wrong places.
Read the rest of this article in the latest issue Sanctified Together. The entire issue was based around the theme "peace" and has some beautiful, inspiring articles
Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~
This article was previously posted at Laced With Grace
Bernadine, this was powerful and so relevant to us as women. I loved the prayer you prayed at the end on the Sanctified Together page.
ReplyDeleteI also so agree that often we are searching for happiness and end up wounded. Often we are searching so hard for what's right before us -- JESUS.
Love your heart! Thank you again for being a blessing to LOAM and to my life.
My youngest daughter who will be 18 is so not an online blogging person (smile) but she read yours and was deeply touched.
Blessings and love!
Hello Bernadine,
ReplyDeleteI hope youv'e been having a great day!
I would imagine every woman can relate to your post.
I'm easily distracted, and my focus gets derailed, usually resulting in frustration. I'm learning I need to bring every thought captive, and lay it at Jesus feet.
This is a wonderful post, it has spoken to my heart.
God bless you,
Michele Katherine
Bernadine,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a blessing and an amazing teacher/writer! Thank you for your article for ST Publication. I love the verses that you chose and how tangible you made the stories of the Bible feel!
I pray that the Holy Spirit raises you up as a light to share God's love to a large audience!
blessings to ya,
alisa
Hi Bernadine -
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I loved the reference to the woman who looked for love in the wrong places.
We can so identify with her...
Great post Bernadine, as usual. You have a great faith and it comes across in your writing. You are not afraid to write about things that we all struggle with. Thank you for being so real.
ReplyDeleteAndie
Oh my Bernadine. Can't tell you how many times I go in search of "lost" things only to find them in a very obvious place. Just like the woman at that well, I've been guilty of looking in the wrong places.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post and how I can relate to this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and for being real! You bless my heart.
Blessings
This is so true - the mess we create looking for something that was just within reach all along.
ReplyDeleteAll because we looked for it in the wrong place and we ended up being so frustrated, or angry, or yes, even wounded in the process.
I have gone to read the rest of what you wrote.
Your post encourages me to keep running to the arms of Jesus for affirmation and for vindication each time this world doesn't treat me right. Indeed what a peaceful place it is to be near the heart of Jesus.
Love
Lidj
While reading this, my heart is stirring for something I've been thinking about all week: a passage of familiar scripture found in Genesis 28:16...
ReplyDelete"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.'"
How often in the midst of our "flight and fear" do we collapse exhausted from the struggle, only to realize that the LORD is in this place! We only need to be still long enough to receive the gift and truth of his presence.
Beautiful post, Bernadine. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog today and leaving your kind words. I value your time. Blessings to you this weekend.
peace~elaine