Saturday, October 17, 2009

No One's Alone

Reading from John 4

I forgot to mention that I am not a Bible scholar, I don't have a degree from a seminary, or much of any "credentials", so this is a way for me to study and spend some time in the Word. There is a lot I need to learn, and I'm so glad that you're along for the ride. If you have input, feel free. I surely do not "know it all". I'll be digging, and praying, and listening, and cracking a book or two I'm sure.





John 4:4-7 Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well had been there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"

John writes that Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee, which is in the north, from Judea which is in the south. The Samaritans were part Jewish, part Gentile, so to the Jews they were to be avoided, this would be a case of racism in today's terms. When traveling, the Jews would go out of their way to go around Samaria, making it a much longer journey. But Jesus took the straight path, which took him straight through. I'm sure His disciples were not accustomed to this idea. Why would he want to do this? Travel through an area that was unfriendly and maybe dangerous. Because Jesus had a plan and a schedule to keep. He had a meeting to attend that no one knew about. Not even the one that He would meet.


Now, it says that He arrived at the 6th hour, and since the Jews started their day at 6 am, this means it was noon, lunchtime, and the heat of the day. The disciples were sent to a small town for food, and because Jesus was tired he sat down at the well, which was the same well that Jacob had dug many hundreds of years before. It is said to be very deep, over 100 feet.
Most of the women of the town came to draw water in the evening, when it was cooler, so at noon, it was deserted...except for Jesus and a woman who came at that time, just to avoid the crowd.


How many of us find ourselves "alone" for one reason or another. Maybe we are weary of the company of others. Maybe we have been rejected or outcast by friends and family. Maybe we have chosen a solitary path of our own making. Maybe we want to be included, but have not had the opportunity to make friends. Maybe, out of necessity or circumstance, we are on our own. Alone-ness and loneliness come for many reasons. Maybe we really aren't alone physically, but just feel alone. Like no one understands us or knows what we are going through. Been there? I have.
This woman that Jesus was about to meet was alone that day. An outcast because of her lifestyle. She had been married many times, but rejected, put out by her husband, one after the other, or maybe widowed at one point. At any rate, she was frowned upon by the other women, and talked about by the town people. She was familiar with it and wanted to be alone. Away from whispers and stares.
Here sat a man, a Jewish Rabbi, who was waiting for her at the well. Can you imagine what she was thinking as she came upon Him. I can hear it now.
"Great, who is this? A man!... and good grief, not any man, but a Jewish Rabbi! What on earth is he doing here? All I want to do is get some water, mind my business, be left alone."
Don't you imagine she would have rather turned and walked away...an escape route. But no, not to be. There was a plan in motion, and her life was about to be changed!


We may feel alone in life, but God is there. He wants to meet us in our circumstances. good or bad. trouble or peace. happiness or unhappiness. He is there. waiting...waiting for us to come close to Him so He can reach out. He has something to say.
I've been "busy" for the last few years. And I haven't always been listening. So now I'm gearing down. So I will hear Him, and I will listen.

What I need to remember: These few verses have really spoken to me about being available to what God is doing...what He wants to do. To be open to the "unexpected" in my daily life. To not "judge" a situation or a circumstance by how it may appear on the surface. To be willing to go when and where it may not be convenient, or where others may feel is "less than", because if God leads you somewhere, there is sure to be an encounter and a purpose. And who knows, you may meet God in an unexpected way and in an unexpected place.

Remember, if you feel God is speaking to you about this passage, feel free to comment. What you may be feeling and hearing, or have experienced, may be just what someone else needs to hear. So this time is not "about me", but to also hear from you.

Thank you for taking the time to visit today, I'm hoping this will be an encounter  for you. I don't want anyone to feel this will be time consuming or a place where I am asking for your "commitment". I won't assign homework or make you take tests! (ha ha) I'd just like this to be a place where we can meet for a moment and think about a verse or two, and maybe, leave with a new thought or idea, or just a moment where we "hear" God speak to us in our busy day.

Be Blessed,
Debra

13 comments:

  1. Debra, I can relate to your statement of being "busy" and not open to listening. A couple years ago I stopped working to care for some of my grandkids. I'm trying to listen for His word more...to slow down and be still and know that God is near. This is hard for me. Thanks for your writings. Sally p.s. I've got you marked in my google reader so I can check back often. I like your blog!

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  2. Debra,
    I cannot thank you enough for doing this. I often become so wrapped up in this store and business that the whole day goes by without taking out time for prayer or study except when something or someone is on my mind with a special concern. I will turn to your blog each morning for this special time.
    Lois

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  3. Hi Debra, so glad you have the courage, energy and enthusiasm to take this on. I will be here as often as possible. This lesson reminds me of Hebrews 13:1-3 - to paraphrase, we are reminded to entertain strangers, they may really be angels. This verse as always intriqued me.

    Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

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  4. When you chose this passage I was a little worried as to where it would take "me" personally...
    I too, have been married more than once and as is often the case people who do not know you... assume the worst.
    Being judged by your past and not the present... is something that I have experienced more than once...It has also brought home for me the fact that no matter what anyone else thinks they know about me...
    He really does know me...And loves me, as I am...and still wants me...
    to fulfill His great commission.
    I have had a life of hard knocks...but I have a gift (we all do)
    ...a talent that has allowed me to give my testimony to others who might not be so open to listen to someone who hasn't walked in there shoes.
    I'm not saying the Lord led me down my path...I do however believe he allows us to experience things that enable us grow and give aid to those in similiar circumstances.
    I know I would not be the Christian I am today...had I not had the obstacles on my path to overcome.
    Today...I see my life as a blessing...I life now committed to the Lord and all that He has for me to do.
    (You were right Debra...You chose this passage for a reason...Have a wonderful weekend...donna

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  5. Thank you gals for your comments. I know this is just something that I really need to do. It makes me "accountable". Whoops, there you heard it. It really is a joy to get back to this. I loved teaching "in person" a few years back, and boy, do I miss it.
    And Donna, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It's funny, but I've always identified with this woman. I know she must have had a hard life. I think it's so cool how Jesus specifically sought out those people who REALLY needed Him... because He looks at out hearts!
    Debra

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  6. Debra, this is so wonderful. I'm glad you are doing this. I will be visiting often. Have a blessed weekend. Twyla

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  7. Be bold, be strong, for the Lord thy God is with you.

    If God be for you then who can be against you?
    You go Girl!
    He spoke of worshiping in spirit and truth ... it is a place in our heart, not on some lofty mountain...a place we can go no matter how many times we have sinned or been regected a place where Truth reigns.
    A secret place of prayer to get a drink of everlasting water.
    Lee

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  8. Debra,
    I'm gone for a couple of days and "hear" through your comments about a "new Blog" I'm thinking why what's wrong with her old one what's going on??!! Then I came here...I tell you it's like coming home! In the crazy and upside down world we all try to fit into, we do get lost and forget to "listen" to the everyday miracles the God gives us..When you are so wrapped up in them it's hard to see those miracles...Thank you Debra...this is so grounding! I love it and will visit you often!!
    My Very Best to you dea friend!
    Gale

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  9. Dear Debra and new found friends. I'm happy to meet all of you and be apart of this place that we come to gather our thoughts and quite ourselves in prayer so that we may receive the message that the Lord offers us. I read John 4 as I went to sleep last night. It made me think of what I have told so many people lately, which is that I truly believe God puts people in places for a reason they don't even seem to know about. I've been having a lot of searching moments lately and can feel God telling me "I'm here for you - you're almost ready". I'm not really sure what that means other than I haven't given him the control I should because of nothing more than fear. I don't know if I'm here for a certain purpose that can add to any of your lifes but I can tell you with certainty that your here for a reason that benefits me. I hope that somehow I will be a blessing to someone else's life as well.
    I wish everyone a blessed and Sweet Sunday...Tracy :)

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  10. Oh' I almost forgot Debra. I love the picture and it or you are nowhere near dorky! :)Tracy

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  11. Dear Miss Debra and All Others beginning this journey today with our wonderful guide-

    Warning: this may be too much information, but God I am going to jump anyway.

    My nudge from this scripture is about my desire for solitude, my need to even isolate, my relief when I do not have to go somewhere socially.

    I am a contradiction- I want to be included, I want to be part of a community of friends, but I am becoming socially more removed.

    In fact, I have wondered if blogging has somehow contributed to this- even though I am not willing to give it up; instead I am seeking balance- balanced blogging if you will.

    So today, when I was just diagnosed with shingles at the night clinic (I will be seeing my regular doctor tomorrow for a second opinion), I was actually relieved that I didn't have to attend a social occasion this evening and tomorrow as well.

    Three years ago I lost 67 pounds, kept it off, and I went out and about spontaneously.

    Then last year I retired from teaching, began a new life, my husband developed health issues from an infection he got in the hospital, and I have gained most of it back.

    Is that all this is God? Is this hiding- this seld-directed shunning simply about fear and vanity?

    Am I the woman at the well?

    Is the shingles a sign - if indeed it is shingles?

    All I know is that when I read about the Bible Study I said THANK YOU.

    Thank you Debra for coming to me- for sitting and waiting at my well.



    Laura

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  12. Dear Laura, We are with you. We are all in this together. I think we have all had times and situations where it is easier to just be alone than to have to be "out there". Being subject to other people's scrutiny, real or implied is so hard. I'm so grateful, Laura, that we've developed a friendship, so you would feel free to sit at this table. And you know, this is how I see it. When I taught, God told me not to stand up in front, but to sit in a circle, with everyone else. So we could look into each others faces. No one was The Teacher, except Jesus. We were all on the same level, and we were all learning. That's where we are now... in a circle of friends sitting at the feet of Jesus.
    Debra

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  13. Hello Debra
    Thank you for listening and obeying that still small voice inside... I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for us!
    I too am a spirit filled Christian, I have known the Lord all my life and recieved the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1971, when my father started a nondenominational church. I am not apart of any church at the present for various reasons. I have lived a life that has been very different than what I had ever imagined it to be, not an easy one and at 60 I have figured some things out and other things I don't have a clue on but there is one thing I do know through all of it the Lord was there and He loves me. I am grounded in the knowledge of the grace of God and how He has given all of us the gift of His life, for this and this alone I love Him because He first loved me.
    Blessings to you Debra
    Rebecca

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