Gently Found

By Lisa Anne Tindal

Read and consider John 4:1-42

If I’m honest, I prefer the background content to go unnoticed. I’m settled with a soft light shining on the person I am, a comfortable place, my secrets sitting on my lap, or beside my cheek on the pillow. I’ve accepted my struggles, self-inflicted or childhood stuff. I’ve decided “they did the best they could do” and getting closer to believing I did too.  I’m loved by Jesus. He knows my name, my mistakes and behaviors, knew all along.

I love the story of Jesus seeking water from a woman of Samaria. I imagine her hoping to go unnoticed, expecting he’d never come close enough to talk.  I read of her surprise by his approach. Clearly, Jesus was the seeker, she the one hiding. He wanted to be known, for her to know he knew her.

Do you ever feel like hiding your sins, even your doubts or sorrows? Are there times you know your heart has drifted back to who you were before redemption? It’s a dangerous place, deciding to be who we were for fear of never being enough for Jesus.

I woke the other morning thinking of the lyrics of “Fill my Cup” by Richard Blanchard. I recalled every word.  I remembered the woman with many husbands, a sordid past.

I know this woman’s story is for me. Maybe you too? Maybe you submitted to men hungry for pleasure. Perhaps, it became something you grew accustomed to, unable to accept you might be only passing pleasure. Maybe you endured years of being told you’d be cared for only to be abandoned, causing you to see yourself as a woman forever tarnished.

Not true, my friend, not at all true. Find rest in the story of a conversation between our thirsty Savior and a woman who drew him water. Jesus invited the Samaritan woman into an unanticipated exchange and then with gentle authority brought her sins to light and told her she’d need this thirsty life no more.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, let us not allow Satan to encumber our souls with the sins of our past. Help us to know you sought us, you knew us, and you loved us. Help us to embrace your heart’s desire for us, to allow ourselves to be fully loved and known. In Jesus Name, Amen

 

 

Meet the Author

Lisa Anne Tindal is the Director of a small mental health non-profit and shelter for women, married with two grown children. Writing and painting are what she considers “treasures” planted by God that she’s learning to unearth from the humble place in her heart they’ve been hiding. Mercy found her and grace keeps her in a place she calls quiet confidence. Read more from Lisa over on her blog.

 

Discussion:

Jesus knew every sin the Samaritan woman committed, yet He didn’t come to condemn her. He sought her out that day so He could set her free from a life of sin. As Lisa mentioned, Jesus brought the woman’s sins to light with gentle authority. He wasn’t harsh or merciless. He was truthfully tender.

After Jesus told her He was the Messiah, the Samaritan woman went back to the town to tell the townspeople all about the one who knew her so well. How has Jesus’ gentle nature encouraged you to share your testimony with others?

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Thank you for joining me. I’m excited to jump into God’s word with you and study the Fruit of Gentleness! This article is a part of our current series, Sweet Smelling Fruit—Cultivating a Heart that Lives by the Spirit. Right now we are taking a closer look at #Gentleness.

Is this your first time here? I invite you to join us as we dig in to learn more about the Fruits of the Spirit!  Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to stay up to date on future posts and when new freebies become available. 

~Kelly