The camels were thirsty after their desert journey. Abraham’s servant stops at a well. He’s on a mission for His Master. He’s looking for a bride for Isaac. He stops here deliberately. Soon the young women would be coming to draw water. The servant lifts his eyes to Heaven and asks the Lord to make it obvious which young woman is the right one for Isaac.

You can read this story in Genesis 24. It is full of meaning – particularly as it points forward to the work of the Holy Spirit in winning a Bride for the heavenly Isaac – our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God is at work today seeking to win souls to Christ. Abraham’s servant was at this well on that day at that time for a definite reason. Centuries later another Man arrives at a specific well at a certain time of day with a definite encounter in view.

Jews avoided Samaria because of their conflicting religious views; but the Lord Jesus purposefully traveled through Samaria. Weary from the trip, He stops at a well at noon hour. No one came for water in the heat of the day. It was far too hot for such chores. But one lonely woman, with shame written all over her face came at noon hour. Perhaps she came then to avoid the sneers and snubs of respectable women who would arrive later. For Jesus it was one of those beautiful opportunities. An ESE.

How many ESEs do I miss or fail to even recognize because my thoughts are somewhere else? Did I ask the Lord today to cause my path to intersect with someone who is searching for God? In tracing the footsteps of Christ, His love for precious souls is obvious – no limits; no boundaries and no prejudices. He loved all. Every person was a prospect for forgiveness and salvation. He went out of His way to find them. He made sure He was at the right place at the right time for the right reason to give the right message – even if it was an old well at noon hour in Samaria.

What is an ESE? An Eternally Significant Encounter. Whether the encounter results in salvation is not your business. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to recognize that this encounter will have significance for all eternity. Did I share Christ with the person? Did I show kindness? Did I shine any light into his dark life?

There’s quite a difference between: share, show and shine AND shun, shrug and shrink. Shrug my shoulders and think – “Ah, someone else will tell them about Christ eventually.” Shun? “A bum like that? I’m not going to bother sharing Christ with him.” Shrink back? “I’m too timid to take advantage of this ESE.”

Be clear on this: whether I share Christ with them or not, it is still an eternally significant encounter. When I stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, opportunities gained and opportunities lost will be reviewed. Your ESE may not happen at a well. It could be on the bus, in the cafeteria, at a cash register, in the library, in the hallway at work or on the phone today. Don’t miss it!