Twice last month we were blessed by one of our contacts to attend a young, vibrant church in Georgetown (an English speaking church). It was a time of refreshing, receiving and being poured into.
The first sermon we heard was on the passage of the Samaritan woman at the well and her unexpected encounter with Jesus. The pastor spoke about an aspect of the story that I had never considered before. He spoke about how the woman had come to the well at a time no one else would be there. Why? Because she was ashamed and she knew that the people in the village were judging her and condemning her for her lifestyle.
She goes to the well because she needs water. A basic human need. But after her encounter with Jesus and after she hears Him say, “I who speak to you, am He” she leaves the water jar and rushes into the village to tell the people about it. Isn’t that an incredible turnaround? She went to the well at a time no one would be there, to avoid condemnation and shame – she was in a sense, running from it and trying to avoid it. Then, after her encounter with Jesus she runs back to that very village, full of people ready to shame and condemn her. Why?
The pastor went on to talk about how God uses the areas we run away from as the areas where He can also bring about the biggest transformations. We try to hide areas of our lives and truths about ourselves, but once we bring them to God (He already knows them anyway); He often sends us back to those places/situations/
people to tell them about our encounter with Him and bring about transformation.
While the pastor was talking I immediately felt the Lord speaking to me about teaching. I carry a lot of shame from the time I spent teaching. I hated the person and teacher that I was. But I felt the Lord telling me that He wants to bring transformation in that area of my life. And use me as an agent of transformation in the lives of children.
I’m not sure what this means yet, or where the Lord is going to lead. But He is showing me more of Himself and showing me areas where I need more freedom in my life. It’s painful and wonderful at the same time. Sometimes I want to bury things in my heart and mind and leave them there forever; but the truth is – the Jesus I love is Resurrection and Life. He brings Life and He will never stop calling to us to let Him bring life and healing to the deepest and darkest parts of our souls.
