Will You Give Me A Drink?

Jennifer Fletcher

At the recent New Wine Harrogate gathering Mark Carey from Bridlington shared from the passage in John 4 about Jesus meeting a samaritan woman at a well.

There are a couple of verses (7 - 9) that he referenced and that I have found to be so insightful in recent years.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

For many years as a Christian I felt (and at times still do!) like I needed to be the person with the answers, the one who others could come to. I can have a tendency to want to be self-sufficient, in control and to be (and certainly perceived to be!) strong.

What I love about this line is that Jesus is thirsty, it’s the heat of the day, and he asks the samaritan woman for a drink. His openness towards this woman, his willingness to break with social norms and cross cultural boundaries led to not only his thirst being quenched but a life changing conversation.

Are we willing to be genuine and vulnerable with others about our weaknesses? Are we willing to receive and even request help from others, being open to listen to what they have to say or practically welcoming support? Being open like this flattens any power dynamics, disperses any sense of “us and them” and frees us to be true to ourselves and authentic in sharing our faith.

As I entered motherhood I found it very challenging, overwhelming and at times an isolating experience. Over the last 7 years I have found time and time again that it is as I have chosen to be honest about my struggles and taken a risk by putting my trust in others that this has enabled other parents to also let their guards down. The depth and openness of conversation and sharing of life has led to much more meaningful friendships.

It has also enabled me to share my faith with others not from a place of being strong but sharing the truth that it is God who gives me strength, peace, direction and the capacity to keep going!

As Louise shared last week: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)