She Left Her Water Jar

But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life. John 4:14

The lies are real. The lies are not truth, but they are real and have the power to keep us locked up in shame. Isolated. 

Like walking to a well to get water in the heat of the day, because you do not want to run into people. The lies are already loud enough, shame is a reality you feel; it is the way you are perceived. The heat of the sun and the beads of sweat are a small price to pay for peace; silence. 

Coming to church early, leaving quickly. Without a trace. Getting what you need, in peace. 

Dancing in the shadows is a half-life. 

Standing tall in the light is terrifying. 

Like Sam, the woman at the well, I spent and do spend more time living in the shadows than in the light. 

Lies and the shame they birth is crippling to my ability to live in freedom. 

I need truth.

We need truth.

Jesus did not look or speak to Sam in judgment and lies. He talked to her knowing her story fully, but giving her life and truth. Living water, an invitation to ditch the fear, shame, and lies for the truth of who she really is. Loved. Chosen. Cherished. Wanted. Set Apart. Worth loving and knowing in the world around her. 

She was desperate for a way out of the clothing of hatred she wore, she took the invitation. She lived in the light and became a light to her community, going and telling everyone about Jesus. No longer a shadow dancer avoiding her peers, she was a bold missionary. 

I wonder what would happen if we started believing the truth; started trusting that Jesus not only saved us, but renews and transforms us daily. We are no longer slaves to fear, lies, and shame. We are daughters of God. What if we trusted that. What if we claimed that. 

I think we would be dancing in the light, not afraid of being seen, bold enough to be heard, and brave enough to live in our lives. To thrive instead of surviving in darkness. 

When Sam’s shuffle came on, I wonder if she walked back to the well to remember that conversation and realign herself with the truth. Living water overflows, it covers the old lies that come on rotation. 

The words of Jesus shatter the lies with unwavering truth. You can. We can swim in the never ending forever true words of who we are in Jesus Christ. Shame is not our name; the shadows are not our home. We can live bold and in the light; we belong here.

Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people. John 4:28

- Hannah