That Which Sets Us Free

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." He said to her, "Go, call your husband and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have correctly said, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." John 4:15-18 (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus pinpointed the area of struggle and shame in this unnamed woman’s story. It was the turning point of the conversation as well as her life. What she may have had no intention of sharing with a “stranger” was exactly what she opened up about to Him. What was hidden in the well of her heart flowed out with her words. Her sense of freedom, forgiveness, and wholeness was only possible with her honesty. When a person has no more to hide, it is then that they stop hiding and start living. It was true of this Samaritan woman and it is true of us as well.

So knowing this, what makes it so difficult for us to be honest and open with the people in our life? I am pondering that question in the early hours of this morning. One year ago today was my “woman at the well” experience with a trusted friend. The one thing I vowed I would NEVER discuss with her became part of our conversation and I sat in disbelief at what was coming out of my mouth. I was sharing not only a very personal aspect of myself but one that housed me in a robe of guilt, shame, disgust, and cringing. It was my personal demon of struggle and admitting it put me in a place of vulnerability and fear. I felt exposed, weak, defenseless, and susceptible admitting my well guarded secret and I was gripped with fear that sharing it would cause this person to walk away and sever the ties of our friendship. I was prepared for the worst but it never transpired. Instead of rejection I received acceptance. Instead of a lost relationship I received the assurance that we would walk through this issue together with God in the center. Instead of seeing my expectations played out I was given the hope of friendship, freedom, and a fresh start. I feared the worst but got the best and my mind desperately tried to wrap itself around the preciousness of it all. I am not the same person I was a year ago. The friendship has continued and slowly but surely more victories are coming. Neither is possible without honesty.

I learned that fear is my greatest hindrance to living the full life. It hinders me in my relationships, in taking risks, in being adventurous, and in living the life out of each moment. To be ruled by all the “what ifs” that I can think of is imprisonment of the worst kind because it places me behind walls of distrust and lies. Last year, Jesus gave me the key to my own freedom and I used it. Each time I choose to take continual steps forward the result is always best! May I never go back again!

Father, quiet any voices in me that would seek to recapture and imprison me. May Your love continue to cast out any and all fear. Amen.

Who Am I? - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.