A lot of zeroes in our account

Read John 4

Technology is great. Before moving my family here to Joplin, I had my credit union account set up to send me deposit reminders if my balance was running below a certain point. I have since closed my account, but the reminders still come...daily. That particular feature does not recognize that my account is closed, so every morning, when I check my email, there is my reminder, showing $0 balance. In the computer's mind, it is time to make a deposit.

Wouldn't it be great if our families came with reminders like that? A ping would sound off on our phone when our spouse needs a hug, or a pop up flashes on our tv when our kids need to throw a ball around with us or have a book read to them. Imagine never missing an opportunity to invest ourselves in their lives

Instead, we must remind ourselves that every morning, the account stands at zero, and we must make a deposit! Our kids need hugs and "I love you's", today. Our spouse needs that gentle word of affirmation and to be told how grateful we are to have them in our life. It is time for a deposit!

For that to happen, we, ourselves, need to be constantly aware of the way God shows His love to us. Every day, God pours Himself into our life. He brings fresh awareness of His faithfulness and a full expression of His mercy. He gives us the ability to live our Christian life in surplus! As Psalm 23 states, "my cup overflows!"

John 4, sends us four important "zero" reminders. Think of it in these terms. Our family's spiritual health is measured by having a lot of zeroes in the account.

Zero Activity. In verse 6, we are alerted to the reality that we all need times of rest and refreshing. Christ was in the middle of what seems like a three year sprint! But He did not overlook the need to sit down for a few moments and catch His breath. We should sit down, every day with our family for a time to catch up and spend time "doing nothing", together.

Zero Balance. Verses 7 through 14 sound the alarm about our need for spiritual life. Remarkably, Jesus starts by asking the woman for a drink. She is surprised and caught off guard. Jesus then tells her He has what she needs. He will be her spiritual resource, if she will only ask Him for what He has to offer. Christ wants all of us to spend time asking. Our families need to hear us acknowledge that without Him, we have nothing, but with Him, we have everything we need! Let your children hear you asking God for guidance, asking for wisdom, asking for protection and asking for opportunities to serve Him. Most importantly, let them hear you asking God to fill you with His Spirit. And then teach them to start with a zero balance, and ask God to meet their needs.

Zero Reserves. Christ gets up close and personal with the woman, in verses 15 through 18. He wants her to understand and express her spiritual poverty. If she is to draw out spiritual abundance from Him, He must draw out spiritual bankruptcy from her. She cannot hold anything back. Teach your children not to keep secrets from the Lord. Confession literally means to "to come to an agreement". Our family must see transparency in our lives. It doesn't mean we confess everything in front of each other, but that we demonstrate the pattern. Our families must know that we hold nothing back from God, and in turn, He holds nothing back from us. Nothing in reserve.

Zero Overdraft. In John 4:27 - 34, His disciples return to find Jesus spending. Spending time with a person in need and spending His energy in a compelling presentation of the gospel. They were concerned that He was going to run out of energy and burn out on ministry. Jesus gave them great news! He was protected from spiritual overdraft because He was serving the Father.

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." -John 4:34

He was where God wanted Him to be, when God wanted him there, doing what God wanted Him to do. What a great encouragement to our family! Show your kids what serving God looks like. Help them understand how freeing it is to submit to God's will for your life. Lead them on a missionary journey on your own back yard. Involve them in sharing God's love with a lost and dying world.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for reminding me of your investment in my family. We have so very much! Lead us on a missional adventure as we serve you and tell others about you. We praise you for all the zeroes you have placed in our account!
Amen.