It was the last thing in the world she expected. That He had talked to her at all was amazing . . . that He offered her a type of water which would never leave her thirsty again was intriguing . . . and, after she asked for this water which wells up to eternal, that He would respond with such a request was shocking! . . . Go get your husband . . .

He freely offered her living water . . . but it would cost her . . .

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 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 4:16-18 ESV)

Transparency . . . that’s what she was required to ante up. A recognition of her thirst . . . an acknowledgement of her need. That was the price to be paid . . . truth before the Giver of Living Water.

Transparency can be kind of uncomfortable . . . so she tries to steer the conversation to more esoteric matters . . . to matters of a difference of opinion . . . to the dividing debate between Samaritan and Jew, where to worship. But Jesus loves her too much to let her off the hook. Worship isn’t about heritage . . . it’s not about the mountain or Jerusalem . . . it’s not about an on-going debate . . . it’s about God . . . the God who requires transparency and truth . . .

“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.” — Jesus (John 4:23-24 ESV)

Do I want to take in living water? . . . Do I want to put out authentic worship? . . . then I’m thinking I need to, though it might be uncomfortable, walk onto the ground of transparency and truth with the Giver of Living Water . . . with the Seeker of Real Worshipers.

Honesty before the throne. That’s what my God desires. When I’m spiritually parched I need to be willing to be shown how I’ve contributed to the dryness . . . to own up to perhaps some waywardness . . . or some prideful self-sufficiency which has interrupted the flow of living water. I need not fear transparency . . . in fact, being reminded again of Jesus unconditional love for me despite my performance deficiencies is life giving water in and of itself. To be made aware again that the God who formed me . . . and redeemed me . . . and has begun a work in me . . . knows me inside and out . . . and still is committed to the finishing His work, is rejuvenating. To humble myself and confess my sin, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive my sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9) . . . that alone will refuel the passion to praise . . . the want to worship.

Transparency . . . truth . . . that’s how I am to open my mouth to receive heaven’s thirst-quenching water . . . that’s how I am to approach the God of matchless grace who seeks worshipers . . .

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
   Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)