At the Well: a Four-Day Devotional for Deep Encounters With Christ Marilyn JohnsonSample

Introduction:

Our God is both transcendent and immanent, meaning He is far beyond and above the range of normal or physical human experiences. Yet, He still desires to form an incredibly close relationship with us.

God has an extraordinary ability to engage with us in unexpected moments to minister to our souls. These encounters happen in a way that captures the mind and opens the spirit to receive from Him. These encounters not only shift something within you but spark a fresh beginning within you and your community. We see this in the story of the woman at the well, a transformational encounter with Jesus that has provided hope to many throughout generations.

Over the next four days, I invite you to embark on a journey, expecting you to encounter God. He went to great efforts to allow you to have an intimate relationship with Him and so desires for you to regularly experience His closeness.

Day One: Prepare for Encounters with God

Focus Scripture: “Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well” (John 4:6).

How do you anticipate your day going? Perhaps all is in place for a fairly typical day, or maybe you have plans that differ from the norm.

The Samaritan woman most likely began her day like most of us, without any elaborate plans or wishes apart from some need-to-do errands.

Little did she know that her day would lead to renewal and transformation. She could have never anticipated that the steps leading her to the well would be the same steps leading her to the Saviour of all humanity.

Pause with me for a moment to reflect. Have your days and routines with God become predictable and mundane? When was the last time you had an unexpected encounter with Him? If your quiet time with God is only quiet time with no real interaction or change, think about the following: Jesus is waiting at the well to encounter you in a new way.

Please join me as I pray Ephesians 1:18 with you:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (emphasis added).

Jesus is always present, so it takes moments of revelation to experience deeper encounters with Him. We can never truly anticipate these encounters, so we leave and give room for Him to reveal himself and show us what we need to see and understand within this very moment.

Prayer: Lord, here I am at the well with You. Allow me to have faith and the expectation that I will encounter You in a new way today.