In the ancient Middle East, there were three ways to obtain water. Digging a well was one way; carving out a cistern was another. Both required hard work and human energy. The third way came naturally, up through the earth, when a spring of water bubbled to the surface. We find in Scripture that such a spring became a picture of God’s grace and provision. Jesus told the woman at the well, “The water I will give him will become like a well of water springing up within him for eternal life” (John 4:14b).

When we devote ourselves to something—coaching, family, sports, or church—we attempt to do so from the springs that well up within us. However, if we try to draw the water to do so from our own broken cisterns, our water supply will run dry. Sometimes we get exhausted digging for water in the wrong place, but when we allow God to be our source, His Spirit flows from within us, producing grace as we deal with other people.

From the well of Christ’s living water flows a sense of deep care for people and their positions. We want to please them because we love them and enjoy their company. Likewise, those devoted to us motivate us to pursue excellence by their example and to bring out our best efforts; imagine, then, what happens when we devote ourselves to Jesus Christ, who has already devoted himself to us when He emptied Himself for our sake. Everything else in life falls into place when Jesus is Lord and Master.

Devotion to God means spending time with Him, drinking from His eternal well, and loving Him by obeying His Word. When we do, our thirst is always satisfied, just as Jesus promised.