Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:26)

One of the greatest blessings in life is finding a mate or companion with whom we can have intimate rapport. Finding someone who we can trust totally with all our baggage and secrets and who will not judge or condemn us for past failures or current troubles. Someone who knows and understands our faults and loves us anyway. Someone who supports and encourages us to reach a potential within self that others do not see.

When Jesus began to converse with the woman at the well in Samaria, there was an immediate rapport between them. Then suddenly she was jolted by the fact that this stranger knew all about her lurid past. As many of us often do when we are confronted with uncomfortable conversation, she attempted to change the subject. Jesus used the new conversation to make a pronouncement—the fact that He was the Messiah. As the Messiah, Jesus not only loved this woman, but saw in her the potential to evangelize her community, a community that looked upon her as an outcast.

Earthly companions and friendships are very precious things, but none can compare with the intimacy of the Messiah. Just like the woman at the well, our “lurid” pasts are well known to Christ. And Jesus also knows our potential to evangelize our community, neighborhood or immediate family. All we need to do is say to Jesus, “Give me this water that I might not thirst!” just as the woman at the well did.

God of all wisdom, You know our potential, our past and our future. Show us our abilities that we might serve You well.