Things certainly come and go. Trends this year will be long gone by next year. Your up-to-the-minute phone will be “old hat” two years from now. That favorite new restaurant you’re in love with will soon be replaced by something more innovative. Life is certainly on the move. We try to give a valiant effort to keep up, but at some point in life you just lose interest. You start to realize that the newest gadgets and the most current cuisines just aren’t going to do it. You want substance. You need stability. You see, communication has changed over the years. Transportation has changed. Education has changed. But one thing has not. Humanity. We still, today, are just like Adam and Eve in that garden. We need to be cared for by our loving Creator. We need to be in relationship with other people who love us. We need to be understood and valued. The human heart that is void of these necessities is a broken heart. The human condition is still the same. 

Jesus met a woman at a well in Samaria. The story is fascinating. I encourage you to read it in its entirety. “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.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 

Then Jesus told her, “ I Am the Messiah!”

“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭15-18, 26, 29‬ NLT) So much takes place in this encounter. This woman is obviously going from relationship to relationship looking for someone who loves and understands her. Jesus knew she would be at this well to draw water at this time of day. He took an odd route to where He was going to meet her right where she was. Not just physically, but spiritually. He told her that the water He offered would never leave her thirsty again. He showed her in conversation that He knew all the details of her life and basically implied that she needs to stop chasing what the world has to offer. It can only be found in Him. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ NLT) Jesus is the answer! He created us. He knows the needs of human beings. No one understands the human condition better than the One who made them. He cares for and values His creation. 

People look for their identity in their careers, their bank accounts and every sort of status this world says is worthy. The problem with this is that there’s always going to be someone to compare yourself to. This person may have more money. This individual may come from a more respected background. This one may have more worldly accomplishments. The list goes on and on and will never end. You will never keep up. We should want to imitate Jesus. He is always going to be enough and then some. He will fulfill us in ways that will always satisfy us and we don’t have to exhaust ourselves for approval. The world will always leave us empty and wanting more. 

Let’s look at how Jesus sees us. You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way (‭Song of Songs‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ NLT). This is how Christ views His church. He loves us for who we are. He sees value. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ NLT). He sees us as a masterpiece. He has good things prepared for us. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ NLT). We have riches in Him that this world cannot offer and He’s promised to take care of us. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬ NKJV). He’s preparing for our arrival in our final glorious home with Him. What an amazing God!

He wants to restore hope. He wants you to be validated. He wants to spend eternity with you! This world pales terribly in the light of all Jesus has to offer. Are we focused on the here and now or do we have our eyes focused on things above? Do we want a temporary crown on this earth or do we want an eternal prize that will never fade? Are we chasing fame and fortune only to realize it can’t fill the void in our human hearts? Are we chasing the almighty eternal Jesus or are we chasing the temporary titles that this world gives and then takes away? If you are not chasing what the Lord has in store for you, my friend, you are going to come up empty. You may have lots of earthly treasure but it’s not going to sustain you in the storms of life. If you’re not chasing Jesus, you might as well be chasing the wind.

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.