In Monthly or Quarterly close of financial reports, companies find themselves on their toes doing everything they can to make decisions based on real-time data. I am sure this is in line with most companies closing processes. In such times, all the resources are pivoted towards the availability of getting real-time data for accurate financial reporting.
One day being in one of these meetings between the supply chain and accounting team, the supply chain pointed out their desire to have real-time data to help with forecasting, something accounting teams were normally challenged to fulfill either due to systems incapability or timings within the closing period. The frustration was evident in both teams to the detriment of the entire closing period.
All in all, an organization with real-time data works more efficiently than that without. The reason companies across the spectrum embrace the concept of automation.
e.g., Real-time data on Covid 19 infections, deaths, recovery, etc. have helped various countries manage Covid -19 spread by making timely relevant, and reliable decisions that led to saving lives that otherwise could have been lost.
The Bible carries many stories of instant results. Allow me to focus on one as shown in the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:7-12
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. [a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
According to John 4: 11: This is a woman who would come to the well by herself due to the rejection she received from others and seeing this was over-whelming she opted to come here when no one was there, and this will be when the sun’s temperature was high.
In this passage, we see three things that are of importance to our discussion
- Jesus had nothing to draw water: Her question to Jesus was genuine since He was at the well with nothing to draw water. Physically, Jesus had nothing painting a picture to her that she did not need any qualification or anything else for what Jesus was about to offer her. She was enough!
- The well was deep. Yes, the well was deep because Jesus was calling her to deepness in Him. She knew drawing water required a jar. However, Jesus was changing the narrative by letting her know that what she will receive will not need a jar. He also goes ahead to make her understand she only needs to reach out to go deeper with Him. And when she does, she gets to see what HE has for her. Isn’t this how treasures are hidden?
- Where can I get this living water? Jesus was the living water, but she would not recognize this until she reached out deeply just as accessing the water from the well. This living water will make her not thirst again! And yes, she will not have to come to the well alone again because the living water will have washed all that has been holding her back to walking in freedom. Talk of suddenly!
John 4:15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
She was determined and eager to have the living water given to her. at least she won’t have to thirst and hide coming to this well again. Don’t we all have something we would wish God Would miraculously deliver us from?
So, let’s see the results of this conversation:
John 4: 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
What instant results! The Woman came to the well downcast but was able to go back to the same town that rejected her and shares the good news.
Please Note
- She left her Jar: Remember her question? Yes, she didn’t need the Jar
- Jesus allowed her to access the Living Water eventually making her spring of living water for others to draw from as the whole Town opened to her invitation. What a change! Glory to God!
As Christians, we need to align to the speed of the Holyspirit and be inclined to hear his voice. This voice carries real-time information that cuts through our thoughts to give us a competitive advantage over every area of our life.
How has allowing the Holyspirit real-time data helped you in your now?
Dear Lord, help us incline our ears to hear your voice and access the NOW Word (real-time information) to advance your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus Name!
Shalom