‘But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.‘ (John 4:14)

The woman of Samaria has sometimes been featured as a person of exemplary immorality, and therefore quite unhappy. We should remember, though, that sin is not unattractive, and it is often very pleasurable. I do not think she was extraordinarily miserable. She had been married five times, and that, when compared with our present social arrangements, is not so unusual. But this woman did admit to some dissatisfactions in her life. There were buried longings with, which Jesus helped bring to the surface.

It is not uncommon for men and women to experience life as flat and tasteless. Most people have seasons when they are very unfulfilled. To our species alone, has been given the disastrous privilege known as the pursuit of happiness. It is everywhere admitted that 'happiness' can be very elusive. People can have all the success possible in their chosen field of endeavor, and yet be dogged by loss of interest. Most keep going because they have locked themselves in to a cycle of bondage to mortgages, and they have families that have to maintain.

Many seek to cure the malaise through dramatic relief by way of change. A new job; a new car, perhaps; a new woman, or man. Some get routinely drunk, and it works-temporarily. Unfortunately none of these measures are a final solution. In his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus drew attention to himself, as an elixir of life; a profoundly wonderful person, able to satisfy her deepest longing. God refresh our innermost Spirits, through Jesus.