Useful
John 4
The Samaritan woman at the well is remembered for having many husbands and Jesus calling her out on it. She is never named or described but, she had to have had some use to others because 5 men had married her and she was living with one. She goes to the well in the heat of the day so she won’t have to see the other women, who by all social standards have their lives together. This woman is not naive. She understands somewhat when Jesus says he is the living water, and she must know scripture because she understands and believes when he tells her who he is.
I can relate to this woman. In the past, I have knowingly or unknowingly allowed myself to be used by others for whatever they perceived they could gain. How can it be that some can take and not feel any need to reciprocate or appreciate? They take and take and take until you are left with just a shell of who you are. Empty, thirsty, alone.
I can also relate to how the Samaritan woman wanted to change the subject when Christ pinpointed her sin. Who wants a light shone on their transgressions?
(Offense, crime, sin, wrong, wrongdoing, misdemeanor, impropriety, infraction, misdeed, law-breaking error, lapse, fault, infringement, breach, violation, defiance, disobedience)
Facing the part I have played in being used was difficult. I have felt stupid and angry for being used. How could they? How could I? Then Jesus who knows all that is hidden deep in the well of my heart draws it out and places it before me in the noon daylight. He knows what I try to hide or justify and he will have none of it.
I had to face the facts.
I had listened to others. I had listened to my own heart’s desire. I listened to everyone except to the One who loves me more. I didn’t give time for His answer or maybe I didn’t like the answer…I don’t know how it is exactly that I allowed myself to walk off the better path but I did. Then along comes Jesus who doesn’t condemn me, but he does show me my sin. He shows us our sin not to judge us, but to bring us up out of the emptiness of our lives and fill our souls with a refreshing, soul-quenching, everlasting, useful Life.
Isn’t it just like God, when we are used up and not useful, Christ will come along to restore new life and hope? The Samaritan woman came that day to the well hiding from others as well as herself. Christ showed her compassion for the purpose of redemption. He redeemed her not only for a useful purpose in her community but also for His glory and His Kingdom.
What a kind, compassionate, gentle God we serve!
(My prayer for myself and for you is that we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with overflowing compassion and that our lives will point others to Christ for redemption.)
