IN TRUTH

• DAY 228
• FAITH FILE: THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
• SCRIPTURES: JOHN 4:15-18

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus 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 well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

The conversation between the Samaritan woman and Jesus is fascinating. She didn’t realize that Jesus was the one she needed, and she didn’t fully understand that she was talking to her savior. It’s interesting how she mentioned being a Samaritan and how they worship differently than the Jews and her unwillingness to interact with Him. But what I find most interesting about her is her courage to be herself and speak the truth about her situation, without pretending to be someone else just to get something.

The woman thought that Jesus was offering her an opportunity to get water that will never run out. She didn’t realize that he was talking about something eternal, not physical. Jesus knew that she had been married multiple times and was currently living with a man who was not her husband. Yet, He asked her to call her husband. If I were in her situation, I might have gone home and convinced my partner to pretend to be my husband so that we could get the water from Jesus. But she had the courage to say “I do not have a husband.” She owned her truth.

Leave Packaging

Sometimes, we pretend to be someone we’re not, we call it “packaging”. We do this with God too, trying to hide our true selves. Even while worshiping in church when we try to look holy instead of being authentic. We also do it in front of people because we’re afraid of being judged. But with God, we need to be open and honest. We shouldn’t be afraid to be ourselves and share our struggles with Him. He wants to have an intimate relationship with us and that starts with worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.

Beloved, it’s important to remember that we don’t need to pretend or hide our flaws from God. Just like the woman in the story, who was courageous enough to speak honestly about her situation, we too can approach God with authenticity. Let go of any worries about trying to appear perfect or deserving of God’s acceptance. Remember, God knows us intimately and is always ready to listen and offer his unwavering love and understanding.

I want to encourage you today to embrace who you are because that’s when you’re going to find help. This woman found salvation because she was bold. Do the same thing and pray that God gives you the grace to be authentic.

Shalom.