“Fill My Cup Lord”
In 1959 Richard Blanchard was inspired by the biblical story of the woman at the well (John 4) and composed the hymn, which was published in 1964 becoming a widely known, popular gospel song. “Fill My Cup Lord,” has always been one of my personal favorites for it tells the story of God’s amazing grace.
Years later, Olivia Lane explored the themes of grace and self-acceptance, referencing the same story of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus and finding love despite brokenness. In her song, Lane wrote, “I feel just like the woman at the well, wondering how You could love me when I can’t love myself. But you want me… You’ll accept me as I am… that’s why grace is so amazing.”
A favorite hymn of many and never grows old contains these words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see” (John Newton 1779).
The woman at the well illustrates a life of rejection and the subject of gossip in her town. She was a “down and outer,” but when standing at the well to draw water, Jesus gave her water where she’d never thirst again. This was “Living water,” which was God’s forgiveness of everything she had ever done wrong.
The story doesn’t end at the well. This unnamed woman returns to her town (Sychar in Samaria) telling everyone she met, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ” (John 4:29). Verse 39 informs us, “Many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of this woman’s testimony.
Where are you in your relationship with God today? Maybe you’re like Olivia Lane, lonely, feeling unloved, unwanted, and hopeless, but then she found Jesus. Or maybe you’re like the woman at the well. You’ve done things and people no longer believe or trust you. Your reputation has been shattered, but like this woman, Jesus is standing before you with love and grace, willing to accept you just as you are. Your story can become like everyone else’s, “I once was lost, but now am found!”
Pastor Carnes
