Chapter 11 ~ Filled By Grace

This is not a challenge to run and tell all your failed behavioral choices to someone.

But...

I wonder when you hear the words "shame" or "guilt" what comes to your mind.

Again, I am not trying to dredge up a confession. I am wanting you to visit a part of your life that you've always hoped no one would find out about. It may be simple or complex, but that doesn't make you feel any better.

Now, imagine that item brings consistent social disapproval and rejection.

"There goes __________. Did you hear about ________?"

We all handle shame and struggle differently. But because of my personality style, I feel like I can vicariously feel the pain this woman at the well felt, the constant feeling of having eyes cast your way in a disapproving and judgmental way.

The hardest part of this woman's story is that nothing, and I mean nothing, she could do

would remove the stigma of her life and life choices.

When you realize that her nationality AND her behavior played a part in the harsh treatment she faced, then you can begin to get a handle on why she chose a specific time of day to go the well. A time when the piercing eyes of her detractors could be minimized if not avoided all together.

In addition, she could do nothing about being part of a group of "half-breeds" despised by the two people groups that made up her DNA. There was no fix. She was a Samaritan AND she could not seem to find a man that would stay with her. Rejection on all sides.

But, Jesus knew better. He knew the worth of the creation of his hands. He knew that there was a way to help this dejected heart find something her soul desired: Love, acceptance and a way to face all the failure others would not forget.

It is why Jesus "... must needs go through Samaria" (Old King James phrase, see John 4:4)

He was not content to let this bruised and crushed member of his creation face the last days of her existence without satisfying the thirst of her being. The thirst to know that you are loved and your past is not an indication of your future, that she was not as alone as she felt. The Savior not only knew WHERE she was, but he knew how to take her to where SHE NEEDED TO GO.

Her conversation exposed her heart. And ours. Sometimes we cling to verses (which can be helpful) but refuse to address the true pain that keeps us from enjoying the freedom we believe those verses promise us.

Andy says it well, "It's always easier to talk about theology than our pain." (Pg 172).

All of the chapters in this book have spoken to my heart about my need for grace, but this chapter does something for me that the others were only primers for...

It tells me I am not going it alone!

What a wonderful picture Andy paints, that our past is past, but its only that way when we allow grace to cleanse it's hurts and heal its wounds. Our pain doesn't need to rule our life. We will hurt. We will make bad choices. But when we turn to Christ and face our pain, he brings freedom.

Andy aptly observes, "Jesus knew that for the exchange to be complete, he had to dredge up all the old so that it could be replaced once and for all." (Pg 171)

The great thing about God is that he isn't satisfied with seeing me, you, or anyone purchased by the the blood of his Son, live stuck with the baggage of our past.

That is so encouraging...

So, today, let's agree together to share the encouragement Andy gave us at the end of the chapter, "Heavenly Father, I cannot, but you can."

Say it with me... Heavenly Father, I cannot ____________, but you can."

It's hard to believe it, but for some reason we all know it's true, when we are weak, he makes us HIS strongest...

Till next week, let the Savior bring his "water" and help us admit...

Heavenly Father, I cannot...

But You Can!