“He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.”
There are times in our walk with God that He will call us to walk alone…
To come out and be separate from who and what we know. To go to a place, speak to a person, that others may choose to avoid—are not called or equip to be sent to. Thus, it was with Jesus; and our Samaritan woman. And, so it is with you and I as well. For us, following the call of God on our lives often requires us to go outside our comfort zones. To push past the fear of rejection and ridicule. To be stretched beyond, push through, the scars of past pain. Past the fear of losing face, losing friends or family—those dear and the closest to us. Yet, obedience to God, to the call we know as True and demanding of our compliance, requires, dare I say demands, that we set out on a road others may walk miles out of their way to avoid. Yet through our obedience, trust is built. And, as a result, our relationship with God is firmly established—forged, as though through fire.
Moses knew this. So did Abraham, David, and Peter…
Each knew they had been divinely called, uniquely appointed—they also knew they were not qualified to receive such a blessing—yet they obeyed the call nonetheless. Now, it was time for this broken, sin-stained Samaritan woman to learn this lesson as well. To learn that God does not call those who are qualified, equip—feel worthy or ready, or are even prepared for what’s to come. He alone equips those He calls. Being chosen to be used by God is not about us, not in the sense of our readiness or worthiness. This call, it is not about you or me. It’s not about our being “special” or “better than.” It is all about God—about fulfilling His will. About the eternal plan He has both for our lives, and the welfare or betterment of another.
Our call, in the end, is all about love. His Love undeservedly poured out on us, that we in turn, can, will, pour out—share, with another. And so on, and so on, and so on until the whole world has heard of His Great Love…
The account of the, “Woman At the Well”, is a lush text. It’s ripe with imagery, full of deep spiritual Truths, of revelation. And, though her story alone is teeming and textured—a story chuck full of isolation, loss, misunderstanding even, it is also a story ripe wipe transformation, packed full of purpose, joyfully heralding a soul’s great calling. Some might even say it’s a story of destiny and of hope. So, the fact God chose to illuminate this verse from this account, as opposed to the more central, well know verses speaks directly to how God will show in the places we least expect Him. For me, and now, for you as well, it was this very sentence, and not one of the more traditional that He spoke through. This sentence, with little apparent connection to the overall text, that the Holy Spirit used to capture my attention—drew my eye and heart into. I pray this blesses you—encourages you, challenges you even—as it certainly has me…
So much to be mined, explored, so much to learn, in this dialogue between Jesus and this woman known to us only as a Samaritan…
She, like most who meet Jesus, have no idea the hour He will appear to us. We, like our friend the Samaritan woman, are often going about our day in typical fashion. In ordinary oblivion, repetitive sameness, and often, in a dense, blinkered denial…
She, for instance, only went to the well at a time of day most others would do anything to avoid having to go. Yet, it was her routine, day in and day out, she waited until the sun was high in the midday sun before venturing out.
Why? Shame mostly…
Death had so deeply wounded her—robbed her, she felt. Not only had she buried five husbands, but in a culture that placed a high premium on having a child—she had none. So, as not to live the life of a prostitute, a beggar, she has allowed a man to come and live with her, to share her bed, comfort her, help provide for her—but, there is a high price to pay for choosing to live this way.
Compromise often costs us far more than we’re willing to pay…
Scripture reminds us that the price demanded for sin is death. Yet, by the grace and mercy of God we don’t actually physically die when we sin—usually. But, as our friend the Samaritan will certainly attest, we’re all but dead—spiritually, socially certainly, familial also, and, her not venturing out until midday speaks volumes of her self-worth…
Paradoxically, God was about to use the very “thing” that had been the source of much of her pain. The very “thing” that had caused her to sin, and, as sins result, the source of her shame too. What was this ‘thing”?
It was another man…
But, unlike any other man she’d ever known, this Man would forever change the course of her life—and, as a result of that change, countless other lives would be changed as well.
How?
When God chooses to remove the scales from our eyes—allows us to taste of the Living Water He alone offers us, we can’t help but leave all that we know—have clung to, wallowed in, wasted years to behind us and take off running to tell anyone who will listen about this Man—this Jesus. The one who comes and shows us—us.
Who shines a light on all we’ve spent so much time and energy trying to keep in the dark—hidden away.
Sound familiar? If so, take heart! God doesn’t play favorites the way people often do. If He brought about a life changing transformation for this un-named, unknown, broken woman—and He did, purposefully, intentionally, as part of His divine plan, He both can, and wants to, do the same for you too!
Thousands came to Him—a whole town we’re told, because of His obedience. Jesus obeyed God and went where others dare not go. And it was in that place where Destiny met destiny—that lives were forever changed.
Friend, if you’re reading this at your “well” today and a stranger asks you for a drink—don’t hesitate! Drink deep…
but just as it is written [in Scripture], “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]” –1 Corinthians 2:9.
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