Tammy On Tuesday ~ The Search for Greener Grass

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On Sunday morning I walked into the agriculture classroom of Meredith Middle School to join others from our church family for a time of prayer.  Being a “mobile church,” we’ve been transforming the school into a place of worship every Sunday for the past seven years and on Sundays the agriculture room becomes the prayer room. PINIMAGE

This past Sunday I noticed something for the first time that has probably been in the room all year.  It was a poster on the wall that said, “The grass is greener…where you water it.”  As I sat there thinking of the meaning, I said to myself, “That’s a sermon right there.”  I snapped a quick picture. 

I’m sure you’ve heart the term, “the grass is greener…” and probably know what it means.

A google search turned up the following: If you say the grass is greener somewhere else, you mean that other people’s situations always seem better or more attractive than your own, but may not really be so.

Think about your life right now?  Are you searching for greener grass?  What are you discontented with?  What do you feel is lacking in your life right now?  What is your “If only” statement?

This poster in the agriculture room of a middle school in Delaware had it exactly right.  As I thought more and more about it, it truly was a “mic drop” kind of comment…it’d make a great t-shirt or poster…wait…

As I thought about how this poster relates to our lives, I immediately thought about a story in John 4.  You may be familiar with the story of the woman at the well.

She had been seeking greener grass for many years it seemed and her continual search for greener grass left her with a soul-thirst she couldn’t quench.

It’s here where you might say, “Oh, I know this story.  I’ve already heard it.  I know what happens.”  

It might be tempting to skim through the text I’m getting ready to share and miss the beautiful truth for you today.  I pray you will slow down, whisper a prayer for God to speak, and then read this account I share from the Bible with fresh eyes.  Ask God to help you see how it might relate to you right now.  Frankly, I believe God prompted me to write this blog for someone specifically today.

Friend, we are conditioned daily to be discontented.  We are told we deserve to have what we want and have it now.  We are consistently encouraged to seek the greener grass.  And you know what?  We can have it.  But, my friend, the grass is greener where Living Water is poured over it. 

The grass is greener where Living Water is poured over it.

Take a few moments and read this account in John 4.

4He (Jesus) had to go through Samaria on the way. 5Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

10Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

11“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

15“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

16“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

19“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,^c where our ancestors worshiped?”

21Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

25The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”

27Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

What stands out in the passage to you?  

What I love about this passage is that Jesus KNOWS this woman.  

• He knows her past and her sin.
• He does not avoid her because of her sin or place conditions of righteousness on her.
• He knows her skewed understanding of the things of God.
• He knows her deep need.
• He speaks of what He desires to do for her.
• And He knows she’s been seeking greener grass for a very long time.

Jesus tells her the truth.  He doesn’t offer her water because of who she is, but because of Who He is.

All she had to do was drink.

“Anyone who drinks this water (earthly remedies) will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”  (emphasis mine)

Perhaps you’ve been gazing at the apparent greener grass that’s just out of reach at the moment.  Maybe you are considering the cost, and spending your time justifying your trek toward that greener grass.  

Let me warn you, friend. What you seek cannot be found through the pursuit of the things of this world.  Instead you will find another barren, dry, and dusty place.  Only Jesus can satisfy.  

You want to see the greener grass shoot up in your life?  Get more of Jesus.  Seek to know Him.  Read His Word…DAILY!  Pray to Him in sincerity and confess your pursuit of greener grass.  Ask Him to give you His living water every day.  You will not feel the thirst subside until you go to Jesus.

Let Jesus water the dry desolate place you are in with His eternal, life-giving water that flows from Him.  He will bring the greener grass.  He will restore life where there is no life.  He will restore hope where all hope is gone.  He will satisfy your thirst like nothing and no one else can. He is the Living Water and He is for you.

Oh, Lord.  I pray You will speak to the one who is tempted to seek the greener grass.  I pray You will meet them in their dry and desolate place.  I pray You would pour Your living water over their heart and bring the greener grass of life to them.  Draw them today.  Speak truth to them and open their eyes to see that in You they will never thirst again.  In Your name I pray, Amen.