Rebekah Speaks Today: “God often speaks to you on ordinary days and in ordinary ways.”

Digging Deeper: Rebekah didn’t realize the importance of this particular trip to the well. It was an ordinary task on an ordinary day. The servant was just another traveler in need of a cool drink. What was it about Rebekah that so impressed the tired old man? She was beautiful, pure, innocent . . . and willing to go beyond simple courtesy to help a complete stranger.

Anyone can primp or get to looking mighty fine for a first date. Anyone can put on his or her best behavior for a teacher or coach. Anyone can freshen up for an important interview. But what about those chance encounters when you’re caught off guard? If people saw you on an ordinary day, would they be impressed? Would they see something different about you?

Rebekah didn’t simply put on the spirituality “for the cameras.” She wasn’t playing to the crowd. She didn’t schmooze the important people. No, she had an inner beauty that radiated to those around her no matter what time of day it was.

Just Like You: What’s with this girl? Lynda wondered each time she saw Debbie. She can’t be in her right mind. A teenager can’t be that happy when she isn’t even popular! Duh, she doesn’t even have a boyfriend! I’m not popular, but I know better than to be happy about it! Lynda wanted to say, “You have no teen requirements for happiness, so quit being happy, already!”

Lynda had to figure Debbie out, so she initiated conversation. Over the weeks, she learned things weren’t always good for Debbie, but she didn’t become discouraged or angry.

One day Lynda blurted, “Why are you always happy?”

Debbie answered, “The problems don’t get me down because I know I’m going to heaven one day.”

Wasn’t Debbie a little presumptuous to say she knew she was going to heaven? Debbie didn’t think she was better than anyone else. How could she be so sure?

“How do you know you’re going to heaven?” Lynda asked.

Debbie explained, “Jesus died for my sins so I wouldn’t have to pay for them. I’m going to heaven because I’ve accepted what He did for me.”

Lynda still didn’t really get it, but Debbie helped her to understand by sharing some books and taking her to church. Lynda eventually came to Christ. Debbie was just different enough to make Lynda wonder why she was different. (Story provided by Sandra Holmes McGarrity, who lives and writes in Chesapeake, Va.)

Did You Know? In biblical times, it was customary for women, especially young girls, to collect water for the entire family—once in the morning and once at night. A rope with a bucket was used to reach deep into the well. The water was then poured into large clay pitchers that were carried home on the head or shoulders.

Today’s Prayer: Dear God, help me to live for You on those ordinary days when it seems as though nothing big is happening.

Journal Question: In what way can you reflect Christ to those who don’t know you or Him?

Reprinted from Teen People of the Bible by Daniel Darling. Published by New Hope Publishers. Copyright 2007. Used with permission.