Love truly transforms lives, not fear!

One of the reasons I began to explore writing a blog (18 years ago) was because I realized that I couldn't "fit" all my thoughts and research into a 20-minute timeframe on a Sunday. I also wanted to allow the scripture passages to live with me longer than one day. And so, what I started out doing was drip-feeding my soul with scriptures, quotes and ideas that I hoped would help me to digest the essence of the Sunday theme.

I have not always followed this initial vision, but I would like to do more of that this week. I have really enjoyed taking time to ponder the story of the Samaritan woman (John 4) and it amazes me how much we still need to learn from this story, especially focusing on the actions of Jesus.

In an age of blatant hatred, unkindness, sectarianism, racism and all sorts of division, Jesus shows us what His Kingdom is truly about. Jesus crosses multiple barriers to share God's love and grace with a woman who was ostracized and written off by many. It is little wonder that she was astonished at his kindness and willingness to engage with her.

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

Thought: The woman was not oblivious to what names people were calling her. She expected Jesus to treat her in the same way, but he did not. In order to bring her back to God, Jesus didn't need to shame her - he only needed to show her that she was 'seen and loved.' This was the catalyst to her conversion. 

Ø  Isaiah 55:1–3 — “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A parched soul

When the Samaritan woman came to draw water at Jacob's Well (John 4) she brought all of her emotional and spiritual baggage along with her. Although she may not have been able to describe it in an elegant manner, she was a parched soul, looking for hope, love and an authentic faith. 

And the miracle of this encounter was that Jesus was already waiting for her. He had the best seat in the house, and he used this encounter to compassionately offer her 'living water.' He could have focused on her sin and continued to heap shame on her, but he chose to give her freedom. 

Dan Clendenin - His simple request for a drink of water provoked a dialogue with a marginalized woman that teaches us that God does not desire any human being to shrivel and die from a broken body or a parched soul. Rather, he longs to quench our deepest needs and desires with the "living water" of his Spirit.

Psalm 107:35 - He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Thirsty - Longing for God

"Just as a deer longs for running streams,
God, I long for you.
I am thirsty for God, for the living God!
When can I come and appear before God?
My tears are my food, day and night,
while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?” - Psalm 42:1-3

"The soul must long for God in order to be set aflame by God's love; but if the soul cannot yet feel the longing, then it must long for the longing. To long for the longing is also from God."- Meister Eckhart

"All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy
As deep cries out to deep"- Brenton Brown 

Thought: As you long for the presence of God, I pray that you would encounter God's mercy and grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Longing for God - Psalm 63

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water." - Psalm 63:1

There is a part of us that resonates with David's cry for God. We sometimes feel dry or barren in our spirit and we long for an experience of God. It feels as if there is no water in sight and that we may die of spiritual thirst. 

This can happen when we go through difficult times or face big disappointments in our lives. It can even happen out of the blue or when things are going fine. I believe we shouldn't beat ourselves up over this, but rather cry out to the Lord and trust that he will quench our thirst in time.

It is thought that David was actually hiding out in the desert while he wrote these words, so he is comparing his thirst for God with his actual thirst in the desert. 

It is interesting how our personal experiences can help us see God in a new light.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

I am thirsty

 

"Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” - John 19:28.

Have you ever wondered which Scripture Jesus was fulfilling in speaking these 3 words? Well, today is your lucky today. If we go back to Psalm 69:19-21, we will find an interesting reference. This is what it says:

"You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
    You see all that my enemies are doing.
20 Their insults have broken my heart,
    and I am in despair.
If only one person would show some pity;
    if only one would turn and comfort me.
21 But instead, they give me poison (gall) for food;
    they offer me sour wine for my thirst." - Psalm 69

I find this amazing. Not only is this a fulfillment of an ancient Psalm, but it also draws our attention to out own spiritual thirst. Jesus is the one who can satisfy this thirst in our hearts.

Living in Grace

D3LM3