“You know,I know so much about you and your problem is you preach water and drink wine!”yelled Kate.A new girl who had just joined the school this little girl was in.All of a sudden she thought she knew her better than everyone else did.Or is it because everyone else feared to tell this little innocent girl?But as much as there was always just something off about this girl.Years later,she thought about Kate’s statement the other day after 15 years and maybe she was right.Yes you heard me right.Maybe Kate was indeed right.
For a very long time,probably most of us can agree that the environments we grew up in sort of shaped us.For this little girl on the receiving end,hers was a christian background.She was born into a family grounded and rooted deeply in the christian faithThe protestant faith to be precise and for a very long time she really imitated her parents because to her they were her definition of perfection. Until one day,she wasn’t a child anymore.For the first time she saw her parents from the eyes of imperfection.Curtains drew and what was hidden eventually came to life.You know what that does to a child?Curiosity begins to grow. Interacting also with the rest of the world creates questions in the fragile mind of this beautiful girl.Little by little,she gets introduced to another life she didnt know.Other faiths she never interacted with.Then the question becomes,why am I a christian?Why shouldn’t I have a boyfriend?Why shouldn’t I have sex?Why shouldn’t I take alcohol?Unfortunately,in her curiosity she tries different things. Both amused because these are new things to her and feel strangely awkward but she still comes back.So now,confusuion kicks in.Because one day she’s enjoying the water and another day the wine. Guilt kicks in.Why would she make a choice she was told was wrong but feels so good while at it.And rebellion is created in her. Then at some point she finds out the very parents she thought were very perfect her reference of perfection, her reference of what it looks like to be excellent, Fall right before her eyes. And where are the years gone?Because now,she’s grown.The worst part is;Grown but with a lot of answered questions,Grown but miserably confused.
But then,with time,she discovers herself.She begins to realize the wine tastes good at the moment,but the consequences are unbearable.The consequences hurt.There and then,she begins to view her parents not from the eyes of resentment but from a whole different perspective;Realizing that they tooo were human,they too had their challenges.She suddenly remembers Kate remarks,but this time with a warm smile on her face,That yes,for years indeed she drank wine and preached water but guess what;She preached water long enough that she discovered its the water that also truly quenches her thirst contrary to what she was curious and confused about;the wine is not her cup of tea anymore.She’s consumed the wine long enough to clearly tell the effects of wine.In addition to that,Something spectacular happens.
She kept coming at the well for the water that she preaches and the interaction with the one at the well keeps transforming her subtly but noticeably.Now,she’s had a relationship with Him that she’s discovered the waters have deeper beautiful peaceful effects.Unlike the wine.And that Ladies and Gentlemen shifts the whole perspective.Clarity begins to walk in.She discovers her likes and dislikes.She discovers she’s actually growing in love with this man she meets at the well.The effects of water produce in her;peace,joy,contentment,love,healing,life and she keeps coming back for more.Those who now meet her can tell,that the girl who used to preach water and drink wine is actually now calmer,quiter,more beautiful,peaceful,certan about the decisions she makes and though they cannot tell,the girl knows,Its the effects of drinking the water she used to preach.
Listen,The problem is not that you preach water and drink wine,the problem is that you are discouraged by Kates from doing it over and over again that you reach the point you build a relationship with the man at the well.You see Keep coming back,you will meet him there patiently waiting for you and when he asks you a question answer Him honestly.Then one day,You will say,”Kate,Yes I preached water,I drunk wine but guess what I kept going to the well and I met this amazing, excellent one who told me what even I couldn’t tell about myself.Now,I drink the same water I used to preach.And I don’t need to use my words to preach anymore because you can tell I know,that I have been with Him who quenches my thirst with living waters and I would really want you to meet Him too”
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