Tuesday September 15, 2009
TIME TO TALK A Samaritan woman went to get some water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink of water." (His disciples had gone into the city to buy some food.) The Samaritan woman asked him, "How can a Jewish man like you ask a Samaritan woman like me for a drink of water?" (Jews, of course, don't associate with Samaritans.) Jesus replied to her, "If you only knew what God's gift is and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked him for a drink. He would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you don't have anything to use to get water, and the well is deep. So where are you going to get this living water? You're not more important than our ancestor Jacob, are you? He gave us this well. He and his sons and his animals drank water from it." John 4:7-12 On an ordinary day this woman would have found no one at this well. She knew that. She strategically planned her trips around that truth - she would be alone. Well, on this particular day her strategy was blown away. God's timing - His wisdom - found her in her own weariness. One of the first things that hit me as I read this passage many years ago was that Jesus appealed to the basic instinct of every woman - the need to give. Some might look at Jesus' request as a demand, but I see it as an open door of vulnerability. I see Him literally opening a door of hope to this worn out woman. In Jesus' day no righteous man would dare talk to a Samaritan woman, much less ask for help - especially from this woman. Yet, Jesus was radical. He went beyond the norm. He still does. Jesus wanted this woman to know that she was special in God's eyes. He wanted her to know that there was more to life for her than sneaking off to receive necessary nourishment in solitude - and that leaning on her own understanding of life could be a thing of the past. He wanted her to know that God had a well of wisdom and hope for her ahead, but first she needed a touch from a man who expected nothing from her but kindness. People who have been abused are accustomed to having things taken from them. They lack the proper boundaries of being able to say "no" because they were never given a choice. Jesus is giving this woman a choice. She can either stay bound to the old way - the way of shame and humiliation - or she can receive the new "living" water of freedom. Like this woman, I never knew I had a choice. I honestly felt as though I had no power over my circumstances. Then the Lord showed me that He had given me the Holy Spirit and through Him I no longer had to be a victim to those circumstances (believe me I still need this reminder). He didn't want me to be used by people. He wanted to use me in people's lives. Through His ministry to this one woman many women can know that they are accepted in God's eyes. Jesus takes time to talk. He wants all of us to be willing to let Him do the same thing for others without leaning on our own understanding. Father, thank You for this wonderful story of Your wisdom. Lord, like this woman for too many years I made certain that I went places when I thought people I knew would not be there. Thank You for Your wisdom that removed that veil of shame from me for a time. Now, please remove it again. Thank You for giving me a drink from Your well of wonderful love. Your love is amazing. Thank You for taking the time to talk to me and teach me of Your amazing grace. Now, Lord, for those women and/or men who are reading this who are experiencing the same difficulties - touch them and heal them - set them free! O. Addison Gethers e-mail address [email protected] [email protected] twitter URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers Messenger contact window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS rs --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
