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June 25, 2019
Something Happened in That Small Church |
Listen to this devotion“Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’” John 4:28-29 (CSB)
The first time I heard the name Jesus, I wasn’t that interested. Faith didn’t make sense to me. Life was hard, and I had already developed a worldview that didn’t include Him.
One day, a friend invited me to go to church with her. To be honest, I only went so she would quit asking. It was going to be a one-and-done event.
Something happened in that small church. Something that still lives in me today: I encountered Jesus. With a heart so tender from hurt it ached, I felt something beautiful that day.
Love.
The real kind. The kind that snuck past all the wounded places to take up residence. The kind that would grow over time and transform my whole life.
In today’s key verse, we meet another woman who was wounded.
She knew about religion, but not a lot about a relationship with God. She longed to belong and, as a result, had accepted less than she deserved in the pursuit.
Jesus meets her at noon at Jacob’s well. He is tired and thirsty and asks her for a drink.
As their conversation unfolds, we get a glimpse of how Jesus loves so well. By asking a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, He let her know she had something to offer. He made space for her honest questions and took time to answer them. He already knew about her broken places and gently led her to a loving Heavenly Father.
In the end, the Samaritan woman abandons her water jar and runs to the city. She can’t wait to tell others about this encounter.
“Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’” (John 4:28-29).
The people in town left what they were doing and made their way to Jesus. He remained with the Samaritans for two days.
“And they told the woman, ‘We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world’” (John 4:42, CSB).
What I love best about this is that she didn’t wait to share her story. There was a good chance some might not receive it.
She told them anyway.
And it had a powerful impact.
Years ago when I encountered Jesus in that small church, I also couldn’t wait to share the news. My friends looked at me with doubt. They weren’t sure what to believe. Some listened. Some came to church with me.
Some were changed by His love.
When we encounter Jesus, our story can be like a ripple. It drops into the hearts of those who long for the same freedom. Our words may not be eloquent, but that doesn’t mean His miracle is not evident.
Like the Samaritan woman, not all will receive our story. Those who do, however, will be drawn a little closer to Jesus. It is He who will speak into their need and their encounter will be as personal as our own.
Lord, whether just healed, a work-in-progress, or totally whole, You are doing a miracle in my heart. Help me to share my story and lead that someone closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 71:15, “I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.” (NLT)
Romans 10:14, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (NLT)
RELATED RESOURCES:
In The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders, Suzie Eller shares ways we’re equipped to be world changers in His name.
Have you ever struggled to find the words to pray? Maybe you’re feeling the sting of rejection, or dealing with a troubling relationship. No matter what you're facing today, God’s Word has the comfort you need. When you donate to Proverbs 31, you’ll get Lysa TerKeurst’s Steady Your Soul: A 21-day Prayer and Journal. Learn how to calm the chaos through prayer and overcome feeling helpless by inviting God into your situation. Click here to learn more.
CONNECT:
Connect with Suzie on Instagram, where she gives away a copy of The Spirit-Led Heart, as well as a Spirit-Led Heart T-shirt and bag.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
We often think we have to wait until we’re at a certain point of spiritual maturity before we tell others about Jesus.
Start where you are.
Ask the Lord to show you one person who needs to hear what Jesus is doing in your life today. If you’re comfortable, tell us a first name (or a pseudonym) for that person in our comments, so we can begin to pray for him or her, as a community!
© 2019 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
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