Shame to Hope

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:29

The well of water was not the only place Jesus met with the woman of Samaria. They also met in the truthful telling of the story of her life.

Jesus asked about her husband. She answered with a half-truth, and said, None, when actually, she had been married five times and was living with someone who was not her husband. The Lord respected her too much to settle for less than truth. Instead, he invited her into authentic relationship where the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in-between is shared in safety and care. Jesus wanted her to know, that he knew all about her, and loved her still. There was no need to pretend or hide.

She ran back into town with head high and joyful shouts…

Come! See a man who told me everything about me! Could this be the Christ?

Her destiny changed in one encounter of safe, respectful, and honest storytelling in the presence of the Lord.

The place that had been a well of shame would forever be known as a well of hope.