OWC 2026 Devotional | Week 4, Day 3

GOD, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ME?

Throughout scripture, we see the Lord initiating pursuits and other times when He responds to pursuits. He initiated Paul’s pursuit, but it may be tempting to think that’s because of either the extent of damage Paul was doing before his conversion or the significance of his assignment after his conversion. We may wonder, does God pursue us for His benefit or for ours? We know the answer to that question: He pursues us because He wants a relationship with us. If He had packed scripture with stories of Him only pursuing the “Generals of the Kingdom,” it might be hard to believe His purpose for pursuit is a relationship with us. This is why I’m thankful for the story of the Samaritan woman. In her story, we see Jesus pursues us not just to call us, but also to comfort us. I’m so thankful He calls us. We all come alive when we are fulfilling the purpose God has for us, but... 

God knows that before we can step into our calling, we need to fall into His arms.  

He sees us in our silent suffering.  

He sees us in our longing and loneliness.  

He sees us in our weariness. And He wants SO much more for us. 

Read John 4:1-30, 39-41 

I’m thankful our attitude, indifference, and unbelief don’t discourage Jesus in the least. The Samaritan woman was in no mood for good news. She wasn’t looking for it, didn’t expect it, and initially rejected it. She didn’t show up to the well with a soft heart or an open mind. She wasn’t perfectly postured, but she was perfectly placed. She was exactly where she needed to be to meet Jesus, because that’s how Jesus arranged it. Jesus didn’t speak to this woman because He had to travel through Samaria and couldn’t avoid her. Most Jews picked the other route so they wouldn’t have to interact with Samaritans. Jesus traveled this route, sat at this well, and stopped at this time so that He could meet this woman.   

At first, the woman was annoyed to be asked for a drink, and then even more annoyed by this nonsense about Living Water. But in spite of her annoyance, she did the one thing, the only thing, Jesus asks of us in response to His pursuit: she was willing to keep talking. She argued with Him a bit, asked questions, and was honest with Him about her past and her present. Then, she recognized His authority as He told her things He could only know as the Messiah. Many others had seen Jesus do miracles and heard His testimony of who He is, but they didn’t want to believe. They had decided they didn’t want to believe. She didn’t walk into her encounter with Jesus deciding she wouldn’t believe, she kept talking to Him and He did a miracle in her heart, like He will with any willing heart.   

• What have you believed about God’s pursuit of you for a relationship?  

• What is God revealing to you about His Pursuit of you for a relationship?