Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8

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There’s a big difference between vending machines and wells. The former gives you a variety of options. The latter offers one choice: take it or leave it. If you are in the mood for sugar and caffeine, the vending machine is your best friend. It often has sports and energy drinks too, and sometimes bottled water as a last resort. The well, on the other hand, just pumps out pure, cool, right-from-the-source water. And herein lies the problem for people when it comes to choosing faith.

It’s common to approach matters of faith starting with choice rather than seeking the truth. Humans like options. We’re created with an inner sense of wonder, curiosity, and the ability to act (or not) at our own discretion. Sometimes, we choose what’s good; sometimes, what’s bad. And then we deal with whatever consequences come our way. Like approaching a vending machine, we examine religions and ways to relate to God as options we can try out based on our interests, emotions, values and preferences. While this aligns with the fact that we have free will to choose, it doesn’t account for the way reality works.

Whether you like it or not, your body needs water. You might prefer the taste of other beverages, but that doesn’t change what makes you function best. And the existence of water—fresh, untainted, limitless goodness—is unrelated to what you want or wish to be true. When it comes to the spiritual state of your soul, the question isn’t which vending machine button to push, but where can you tap into the source of what’s best? In other words, it’s better to look for the well.

You’re not alone in this water-searching adventure. Psalm 34:8 is a powerful passage that bids us to taste what’s good and discover the Lord in the process. When we do, our preferences will adjust to reality over relativism, and we’ll take refuge near the one, true, triune God of the Bible. If you’re willing to search for the source and open to looking for the well, spiritually speaking, I am confident you’ll find it.

Next Steps

In John 4, Jesus has a universally significant conversation with a stranger at a well about living water. Read what He says in response to the Samaritan woman’s questions in verses 1-26.

Who do you know that has looked for the well and found Jesus that you can talk to about your own spiritual quest? If no one comes to mind, click here to connect with our Pastoral Support team.

How are your thoughts and questions about God, the truth, and Christianity similar to this woman’s curiosity?