I’ve been thinking a lot about water lately… living water He talked to the woman at the well about.  Most of us know the story… she’s there at noon, unusual hour for water collecting – revealing her circle of friends, her tribe, her contemporaries have strong-armed her out of their circle.  She’s different, doesn’t play by the rules, doesn’t fit the mold.  So she avoids the gossip and goes when the traffic has died down.  She needs water, we all need water… it’s essential for life.  

Her influence is marginal at best, because of her  choices… so she travels for the clear liquid that is required for living…alone.

He meets her there, at the well… it wouldn’t look good, this chance meeting and would add to the chatter in the circle, if they were to be seen together.  He’s thirsty, nothing to dip down with to drink.  He says the most confusing things…

“…everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Overflowing water, gushing, a fresh bubbling spring ~ welling up 

In a land of little water, where water is literally the difference between life and death… she gasps at the thought.

Her life of negative influence is instantly changed to a gushing spring, overflowing with such influence that an entire village is literally turned upside-down … she has become a catalyst for new life.  

In the life of a child, in our families, we are all influencers.  As small group leaders for kids or students, we are influencers.  What are the springs that overflow out of our lives and splash onto others?  Jesus said the water he offers will become a spring of water welling up, gushing over, a fresh bubbling spring.  Think about it… we’re splashing something, what is it?  

Is it… busy-ness, frustration, consuming the newest technology, the look, the “important”, the game, the competition?

Or is it…  gentleness, kindness, generosity, truth, purity, righteousness, trustworthiness, self-control, love…

There are hundreds of seconds everyday to influence.  It doesn’t even need to be a splash, it might be just a drop.  How will you influence today?  What you do matters.