Be YouSample

As we think about how we can offer and receive love the way God intended, it is vital that we know and accept His view of us. For more insight, let’s look at Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well.

In this account, we see a woman—a woman with a past—coming to the well in the middle of the day. No one comes at this time of day because it’s too hot, and she comes at this time to ensure she isn’t seen. Why? She harbors shame about who she is.

The well in the middle of the day is a place that underscores her feelings of being unwanted, unloved, and unforgivable. Jesus is so good at meeting us in our wounded and isolated places. In fact, He longs to meet us in these places!

Jesus comes to the woman asking for water and then goes a step further to tell her that, if she knew who was asking her for a drink, He would give her living water. Living water sounds like a great offer—one that could keep her from making this arduous trek that is a constant reminder of her past, her shame, and her estrangement from the rest of the community.

She is looking for a way to leave her circumstances, but Jesus wants her to surrender her shame.

From now on, when that woman returns to the well in the cool of the evening with the rest of her community, it will no longer be a reminder of her past. It will remind her of her redemption.

Where she once felt unloved, she now knows love.

Where she once felt lost and isolated, she has been chosen and welcomed in.

Where she once was bound by sin, she has found freedom in forgiveness.

Where she once felt disregarded, she knows she has been redeemed.

Now, she finds victory in the same place that signified defeat.