Members Exclusive
Where Is Your Bucket?by Bruce Billington
Introduction
The great human plight for those who truly love the Lord is that we cannot help but get in the way. In John 4, we read how Jesus encounters a woman at the well and asks her for a drink. She is surprised that Jesus speaks to her at all because most Jews despised Samaritans. Furthermore, she is an adulterous and impoverished woman, which explains why she is fetching water, yet Jesus has something to offer her.
He begins by asking her for a drink, and after more conversation, Jesus tells her that He will give her a drink. The woman says to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep." John 4:11.
Our Human Struggle
We all know that Jesus is the Master, and there are never enough superlatives to describe Him. But we often think that it is easy to believe that what He says can be accomplished, but He likely won’t do it for me.
As we reflect on the perceived challenges of our own situation, we start to question what Jesus will do, if anything. After all, you cannot supply water from a well without a bucket, and if He could, would He really do that for me?
The Real Questions of Life
Matthew 6 contains some very challenging comments for most of us. In verse 25, Jesus tells us “not to be worried about our life, as to what we will eat or what we will drink; nor for our body, as to what we will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Our misgivings arise from within when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are somewhat too difficult for Him. We think, “It’s easy to say, ‘Just trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live, and these problems must be resolved.” Or, it may not be Jesus’ ability that we are doubting here. We do believe Jesus can get water without a bucket – but we are not convinced He will do it for us – and we need it right now.
But Jesus doesn’t need our advice or our logic; what He desires is faith that comes through our humility and dependence on Him.
In fact, as incredible as it seems, we should celebrate our lack of control!
How to do This
1. Confess
If we detect these misgivings, the first step is to bring them to light and confess openly: “Lord, I have had doubts about You. I have believed only in my own abilities, not in Yours. I have not recognised Your almighty power, apart from my own limited understanding of it.” This is a great place to start. You are presenting the problem before the Lord.
2. Go to the Scriptures.
Psalm 62:1-2 – “1 My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”God does not want us to be at the mercy of our own ideas or the hopeless perspectives we sometimes hold about them. The Bible teaches us to look beyond our circumstances. Instead of being swept up in the whirlwind of daily events, we should become rooted in the solid foundation of God and His ways. Practically, this means relying on God’s character and seeking His perspective.
3. Relying on God’s Character
The tools He has given us hold great power. Prayer and worship are integral to this. If we consistently worship God, we will be much more responsive to His claims and more receptive to their expression in our favour. When (or if) we pray, we must keep an open heart for Him to do His way.
4. Constantly Meditate on His Goodness
To rest in God, we must meditate on His goodness. Focusing on God’s love opens the door to trusting Him. When we understand that we are precious to Him, we will know He’ll take care of us. Combining this with the realisation of His power — His ability to do immeasurably more than we ask or can imagine —reminds us that we will be okay.Unlike the unpredictability of life, Scripture comforts us with the truth that God is unchanging. “He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is called the “rock” (Psalm 62:2) on which we can stand. While even close friends may change, we can rely on God to remain steadfast. We can trust in His constant love and compassion.Drawing on the wisdom of God means redirecting our minds and hearts toward Him. It involves awakening our awareness to His goodness and powerful presence while working in partnership with Him – not on our own.5. The Greatness of God
We need to view God as our friend, who comforts us with His unmatched understanding. In Him, we find solace by recognising that He is greater than whatever occurs around us.
John Ortberg says, “Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake without storms. It comes from having Jesus in the boat.”
We can choose to believe in God’s nature and trust that He will care for us. If we do, our problems can be seen as mere storms that may jostle us a little on the way to His destination, but we will reach it because He is in the boat with us.
6. View it from God’s Perspective
God has a perspective on everything that occurs in our lives. He has a purpose for permitting events to come our way and for guiding us through various experiences.
We may encounter situations that seem hopeless or unfixable, but God sees their potential for our development. Gaining God’s perspective involves looking beyond the circumstances as they appear and addressing the root issues.It also recognises that God will lead us to the other side. God is the author of hope, and He desires His children to receive this medicine for their souls during trials. Sometimes, this means He will completely turn an event around, and He wants us to anticipate that.
At other times, He will empower us to endure challenges and build strength. Perhaps He desires for us to cling to Him, refine our faith, and experience a deeper level of intimacy with Him.1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; andGod is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."7. Speak Life
In Psalm 62:1 David says, “My soul finds rest in God alone. He alone is my rock and my salvation … He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” David spoke all this while being pursued by Saul’s army. It was a challenging time for him as he learned to take refuge in God. But in another place, he said "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him. For the help of His presence." (Psalm 42:5).
When we feel emotionally overwhelmed, it can be helpful to place our hand on our heart and, focusing on each word, slowly say out loud, “My soul, find rest in God alone.” This expression brings us back to God’s ways.
8. Keep Good Company
We need to surround ourselves with people who consistently lift up Jesus’s name: individuals who care for one another, look out for each other, and regularly encourage each other. Jesus is the head, but we are the body – we truly need one another.
Conclusion
In John 4 the Samaritan woman says to Jesus, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket.“ She believes that’s the end of that deal. But it was better for her that He didn’t have one. Because if He had fetched her a drink from the well, she would only thirst again. So He says, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14).
Jesus is more than a refreshing drink on a hot day; He is an endless source of living water. As the Son of God, Jesus offers us living water to quench the thirst not only of our bodies but also of our spirits, for His life in us is like the water in a river. If we call on Him, we will be continually blessed. Jesus offers us life—the kind of life that flows through us like a spring drawn from a vast reservoir without end.
The answer lies in the promises of God; our bucket symbolises our heart, and the water of life flows to us through the Holy Spirit, offered individually to each of us. Drink deeply so that you may have life and find renewal.
The woman ran off, leaving her bucket behind because she no longer needed it. She had the true water, and she returned to bring the whole city out to meet Jesus.
Over time, we may acquire all the clothing and shelter we need, but without this true living water, no number of provisions will ever leave us satisfied. The best water, which only Jesus can offer, is the water that quenches the human thirst for fellowship with the one true God –that is the water that truly gives life!
God bless you.
Bruce Billington
