Following the Water Jugs in our Life

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

A few months ago I went to park my car in a lot a few blocks from my hotel. When I walked back after parking the car, I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in years. We ended up talking for almost two hours about some serious life issues and were able to encourage one another. I still marvel at how God brings things together for His purposes.

This encounter came to mind when I recently read Luke 22:7-13. In this passage, Peter and John asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare the Passover meal. Jesus responded, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters (10, NASB).” It seems like such a random instruction. Why didn’t Jesus just tell them the location?

Jesus is teaching His disciples to follow God’s lead—to be observant of the smallest detail, the faintest whisper, that is important to God’s plan. He is using everyday things to lead them to extraordinary events. In a similar way, I discovered the ordinary task of parking a car led to an extraordinary discussion. I could’ve easily missed it if I was not paying attention and not listening to the faint whisper to go park the car when I did.

Jesus told them what would happen next when they followed the man with the water jug into a house: “And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there (11-12).’” The disciples went and found everything just as Jesus said.

When you consider that there were people who wanted to kill Jesus (Luke 22:1-2), there is wisdom in how Jesus sent Peter and John to set up a room for the Passover. They never had to talk to anyone about what they were doing except the owner of the house. They simply followed the man with the water jug to the house where the owner showed them “a large, furnished upper room (12).” There they prepared the room where Jesus and His disciples could share the Passover in private.

Sometimes the smallest details in our life can have the biggest impact. It’s important for us to be attentive to God’s voice on a daily basis. In the ordinary you might discover God’s extraordinary plans.

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:9, NASB

8 thoughts on “Following the Water Jugs in our Life”

    1. Thanks for the comment. For me the times of drought have been periods of inattention or distraction when I miss the water jugs. The droughts have also been times of quiet where God is teaching me something before he brings more water jugs into my life—a time of preparation. Either way, God continues to teach me to be more attentive to Him at work every day. Just a few thoughts. Blessings.

  2. Pingback: Following the Water Jugs in our Life – QuietMomentsWithGod

  3. I’m always thankful when I “follow the water jugs in my life” especially when it happens early in the day as it prompts me to continue to look for more opportunities. On the flip side I sometimes wonder if some days I have ignored a stream of water jugs left by Jesus. Hmmm…. and the sanctification process continues. Thanks. Ron

  4. What a great encouragement your post is today Chris, thank you 😊
    Your final words,  “In the ordinary you might discover God’s extraordinary plans” are definitely quotable and worthy of prayerful meditation. God bless you today 🙏

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