God’s Love for Me

One of the most well-known Jesus stories is his interaction with a Samaritan woman at a well, as recorded in the Gospel of John. This woman had come to draw water from Jacob’s well. She was alone and it was midday. This was probably due to her ostracisation from her local community due to her many broken marriages and the fact she was now living with someone who was not her husband.

During their conversation, Jesus said to her, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water” and then, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

I love that metaphor of an artesian spring, gushing fountains of endless life. What we long for is not ‘out there’ nor is it something we need to work for (like using a bucket to slowly draw water from a very deep well). It’s right ‘in here’, inside of us and it is a spring in which the water is already flowing. There is nothing we need to DO. Only ‘receive’. The initiative is God’s, not ours.

Jesus paints a vivid picture of God as a generous, giving God. Do we know this? Really know it? Even to those of us who know we are not worthy? Just like to this woman, Jesus offers us fresh, living water – a free, unearned gift of grace, quenching or satisfying our inner thirst.

My prayer for you today is that you will know God’s love for you deep inside. Drink it in and drink deeply. There is an endless supply of LIFE available to you right now. You will never lack. ALL you need is right inside of you – a generous gift from God.

Here is a poem I wrote about God’s love recently …

Feel the overflowing love
The energy of life
Coming my way
From the heart of God

Giving, reaching
Pouring out
Pouring in
God’s love

Goodness and mercy
Pursuing me
Everywhere I go
All the days of my life 

No need to fear
God’s presence promised 
Creator, Redeemer
Maker, Father

Created for His glory
Formed by him
Made by him
Loved by him 

All things working for good
God’s purpose and plan
Providence at work
In all, through it all

I am God’s beloved
Precious in his sight 
Worth more than the world
Called by name

I am loved

‘God’s Love for Me’ by Mark Conner

Praying

I came across this short poem about prayer this week. I found it quite profound.

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway into
thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver, Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver

Welcome to Spring!

Welcome to the first day of Spring! At least here in Australia where I live. This last week I spent time walking along Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River. Wildflowers were bursting into bloom everywhere. Here is one of the photos I took on my phone.

Wild flowers in bloom along the Yarra River in Melbourne Australia.

I then crafted the following poem. I hope you enjoy it. Most importantly, I hope you find increasing levels of love, peace, and joy in this next season of your own life journey.

Spring is here
Sun shining
Birds chirping
Flowers blooming 

Seasons turn
Winter is gone
No more cold
New life 

Come outside
Into the light
Fresh air 
Breathe it in

Possibilities
Opportunities
Dreams
It’s time

The past is gone
Let it go 
Today is here
Embrace it fully 

Gentle movement
Agile motion
Feel the wind
Time to sail

Out from the shore
New horizons 
Adventure time 
Excitement for sure 

Seeds planted long ago
Coming to life
Starting to sprout
Out of the dark

Resurrection
Transformation 
Change
Metamorphosis

Stories to be told
Songs to be sung
Festive food
Time to dance 

Welcome to Spring!