"Come, see a Man ..."
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The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"
-- John 4:28-29, (NKJV)
The woman walked with her water pot in the hot noon day sun, going to fill it at the well. She walked in shame, isolation, fear, trauma and abuse. She lacked hope for any redemption and likely feared an early death. She had no permanent male partner, she lived with a man - not her husband. She had no nearby family to care for her. What inner strength and profound courage allowed her to walk out to that well every day in search of water?
When we are lost, we go out every day compelled by the inner knowledge that we need something outside ourselves, an external thing, to feel complete - to feel safe, loved, whole and appreciated, valued even. We go out to BUY something new - clothes, shoes, hairstyles, jewelry, a car, or bigger house. OR, we get BUSY, performing more jobs and bigger projects or complex tasks at home, at work, as a volunteer at church, or in the community. Yes, we are serving, but too often we allow ourselves to get used up. Others may take advantage of us as an easy place to dump their burdens. And to what end for us? Maybe only heartache and emptiness.
Sometimes, our focus becomes internal. We may sink into self-loathing and medicate to negate or break out from what we fear most. Alcohol abuse, illegal drugs, prescription abuse, gluttony, junk food, pornography, sexual addiction, multiple relationships, all very unsatisfying in an attempt to find love and feel complete.
Sounds like the woman at the well knew all about addiction, as Jesus told her in John 4:17: "You have well said, "I have no husband. for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly". Jesus recognized that she had a level of courage that kept her in search mode but without a true heavenly target. Sometimes we find ourselves in search mode with the same undirected outcome, alone, in our shame, drudgery, and insecurity. But still searching.
In John 4:25, we are told that this precious Kingdom daughter, even as a Samaritan, knew that a Messiah was coming to save all mankind. Maybe like those of us who are exhausted and weary from buying, competing, and pointless busyness, she said a simple prayer that morning to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Father, let today be different. I can no longer do this. OR maybe just two words: Help me.
I think that it took tremendous courage to go to the well, to sustain herself when no one would help but only use and abuse her. And in her greatest season of despair, she divinely encounters the One who created her, gave her courage and tenacity - Her Savior, Jesus - the One Who is the Living Water. She knew a Messiah was coming, and in John 4:26, Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
I believe that in each one of us there is a tiny flame of courage, kindled by Jesus, through amazing Holy Spirit, to give us hope. As I reflect upon my own past life of rebellion and abuse, I wonder how many women today feel compelled to go back many times to a dry useless well of stuff or activities or addictions or sick relationships that look attractive at first but quickly become traps that do not satisfy their thirst for a Living Savior.
If that woman is you, please know that you are seen and never alone. Our precious Savior died and rose from the grave that ALL, including you, might be saved and have eternal life, if you only believe in Him. Take a moment now to absorb that truth - He created you in His image with the courage and desire in your heart to receive and believe in Him and to be in relationship with Him forever.
Precious child of God, use that small flame of courage and let go of past hurts, the lifetime of pain, abuse or neglect. Let go of performance, hurrying nowhere, or give up the fatigue that has become so overwhelming you cannot move. My dear sister, you can leave all of this pain at the foot of the Cross. Jesus sees you and He knows your story. He wants you to come to Him and be set free!
Find that courage in your heart and be set free today! We are praying for you!
Question for Reflection:
What area(s) of your life is Jesus highlighting for you to apply your courage and overcome?
