I have been spending a decent amount of my free time working on getting our 1997 boat back on the water. The project has reminded me of a temptation that is common with every “project in my life.” I throw solutions at the problem without knowing what is broken. It’s like trying to hit a bullseye blindfolded. Yet this is what we often do, whether it is from the advice of a friend, something on the internet, or our own laziness, we attempt to fix something without knowing what is broken. I have realized over the decades of fixing things that “parts swapping” to fix my boat is a game of luck. This truth also applies to our life problems as well.
Reading John’s account of the woman at the well, I am reminded how ignoring the real problem results in unresolved issues in our lives and relationships. Most of us are familiar with Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Let me encourage you to take a few moments to read the passage in John 4:1-42.
From this passage there are a few observations that stood out to me regarding fixing problems. First, the wrong solution does not fix the problem. This should be obvious but often it is not. We are determined to continue driving a nail using a kitchen spoon. Good luck with that! We also continue to try different variations of previous unsuccessful repairs, maybe a fork will work. The real problem with the woman at the well was she did not have a genuine relationship with the Creator, it was a spiritual problem. I see three physical solutions that did not work for her. The first was water. She needed to go to the well every day to get this life sustaining need. When Jesus offers the living water that would set her free, she is all in, it was not the physical water that would satisfy her real thirst. “The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:15). A solution was also not found in human relationships, as we learn later in the narrative “The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”” (John 4:17–18). And it was not found in religion. Jesus reminded her, “You worship what you do not know;” (John 4:22a). These are all attempts to use physical solutions to solve a spiritual problem. The reality is that you and I are really no different today.
My second observation is that we need to apply the right solution to the problem. We often fail to apply the right solution because we are too lazy to do the work to diagnose what is broken. The real solution for the woman was free to her but also very costly. The cost was her submission to her Creator. The cost of setting aside our pride and embracing God’s solution requires time, energy and humility. It requires us to conform to God’s plan for our lives. Living as a follower of Jesus will be the hardest thing you ever do. Listen to God’s solution for our lives. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”” (John 4:23–24).
Third, when my spiritual life is working correctly, the rest of my life falls into place. My perspective changes which helps me to amend my response to the situations. I love Paul’s reminder as one example, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2).
Fortunately, this time around, I have worked hard to understand and fix the real issues with the boat. I have been more blessed as the Lord has helped me to understand and fix the real issues with Pastor Joe. How about you?
-Pastor Joe Parkinson