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The Christian Working Woman
Hosted by Mary Lowman · EN
The Christian Working Woman with Mary Lowman exists to encourage, equip and empower workplace Christians in the marketplace.
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Lamenting like David – 5
Jul 1000:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stibgen We have discovered that we were made to lament and examined the examples we have in Scripture through the life of David. What hits the most for me as I read about lament is the deep trust that God’s will is always best, and he alone deserves the glory! We have heard parts of Psalm 6 this week, from David’s most honest cries to God through his tears that flooded his bed. The ending of this Psalm turns to David’s trust, Depart from me all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer (Psalm 6:8-9). There is not an ounce of doubt coming from David. God heard me crying. He heard me pleading and he accepts my prayer. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid (Psalm 56:3-4). In you, Lord my God, I put my trust…I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame (Psalm 25:1-2). God, I trust you. I trust you. I trust you! David’s lament was never absent of his trust in God. A deep and abiding love for his Father that he knew would carry him through in battles and in loss, in highs and in lows. When was the last time you uttered the profound, but simple words, God, I trust you? God, I trust you with my work. God, I trust you with this job search. God, I trust you with this very hard conversation. God, I trust you with this difficult colleague. God, I trust you to care for my needs. God, I trust you when I am afraid I might lose my job. God, I trust you when I don’t know how to complete a task. God, I trust you when I feel alone. Did you know this is prayer? Simple, short, and sweet, but it flows from your heart right to God. And it glorifies how he made you to be in a constant and dependent relationship with him! David gave us this example of the pattern of lament and deep trust that he then turned to praise. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2). Lament. Trust. Praise! How can you use this simple three-word phrase as a reminder in the week ahead?
Transcribe →Lamenting like David – 4
Jul 900:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stibgen Sometimes God seems far away. Many women I speak with have said this very thing from time to time. Despite their prayers, reading the Bible, and going to church, God seemed distant. They feel like there are no answers coming in their distress, and some have even thrown in the towel with long time prayers. This isn’t what God has planned for us. I like to remind myself about God’s view on time when I feel like he hasn’t answered me in a while. To the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day (2 Peter 3:8). In the context of my view on time, it may not feel like very long to God at all! It’s likely that David ran from Saul between four and thirteen years. I am sure David’s laments to God were very difficult at times. Like, “Hello, Lord? It’s your anointed King David. What are we doing? How long?” I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of my foes (Psalm 6:6-7). Not only was David weary, but he was also worn down to the point of tears! God saw every one of these tears David shed. He sees yours too. And David wasn’t shy about crying out to God! My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night but I find no rest (Psalm 22:1-2). Ultimately, God was with David every step of the way—even when David felt alone, chased, weary, and deep in sorrow. God wants to hear from you. Lament to God about your weariness, tears, and unanswered prayers. Lament to God when he feels distant and like he isn’t answering you. Have you been in a season like this with work? Our adversary may look different than David’s, but it could come in the form of being out of work for an extended period, waiting for a promotion, or feeling like you have an adversary at work challenging your every move. Jesus has promised we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33) but also gives us the hope that he has overcome the world! Turn to the Lord in lament today. Be honest. He wants to hear from you.
Transcribe →Lamenting like David – 3
Jul 800:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stibgen Who are you the most vulnerable with? This word describes a state of being easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally. Is there a person you trust the most? Maybe you are blessed to have more than one person to talk to about your most private matters. But who are you vulnerable with about your sin? Let’s face the fact. Even those of us who have the beautiful gift of grace of salvation in Jesus Christ still sin. We all do. Even when we are trying to live a life holy and honorable before the Lord. The word is clear about confession. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13). James tells us to confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16). What does this have to do with lament? David’s life was not all glory. He also sinned and gave us a good example of how to cry out to the Lord in lament for our sin. The story of David and Bathsheba found in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 tells of David’s sins resulting from his lust for Bathsheba. In Psalm 51 we see David’s vulnerability with God as he laments about his sins. Have mercy on me, O’ God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2). Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me (Psalm 51:11). Remember the definition of vulnerable? A state of being easily hurt physically, emotionally, or mentally. David lamented to God and did not want to be removed from all the goodness of his presence and filling of the Holy Spirit. Even David recalls I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave all my iniquity and sin (Psalm 32:5). David’s lament also reminds us again of what happens when sin goes unconfessed. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long (Psalm 32:3). In his deepest sin, David turned to the Lord. God wants us to do this too. Sin can make its way into any part of our life, including at work! Take some time to examine your heart and lament to God!
Transcribe →Lamenting like David – 2
Jul 700:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stibgen Are you afraid God doesn’t want to hear your complaints? Do you ever have a feeling you are enduring things that shouldn’t be happening to you? How about waiting for something good to happen? Why me or why not me? David’s life was full of waiting, enemies, and strife! And he knew his direct line to God was the best way for him to cry out! If you read the books of first and second Samuel, you see the long and arduous road David endures to becoming King. Even though he is anointed as King early on by the prophet Samuel, he spends years fleeing from a jealous and hateful Saul. And David was just being himself! First, David was a skilled warrior, and he had a lot of success! He was also a skilled musician who played the harp for Saul when he was feeling mentally unwell. Saul was deeply jealous of David—jealous of his skill, jealous of the favor God showed to David, and jealous of the relationship David had with his son Jonathan. Not only did Saul throw a spear at David, but he charged his entire army to kill him. Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days (1 Samuel 18:29). Sometimes we are confronted with things, and we really don’t know why. We are truly being ourselves, giving our best and our all. Are we like David, seeking feedback? In 1 Samuel 20:1, David asks Johnathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father that he seeks my life?” David never received a good worldly answer from his dear friend Jonathan. In the Psalms, David’s laments to the Lord during this time are many, but Psalm 142:1-2 highlights his desperation. With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him (Psalm 142:1-2). David goes on to talk about how traps have been set for him and that no one cares for his soul. Have you ever felt this? You ask for help and it seems there is none in sight? Have you ever felt like no one cares for your soul? David knew God cared for him, and he poured his complaint to God when he had no one else in the world to ask: why me?! God wants to hear your complaints. He wants to be there to remind you he is for you in this deep time of lament.
Transcribe →Lamenting like David
Jul 600:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stibgen How do we lament? I guess we should start with understanding what lamenting truly is. Lament is expressing sorrow, mourning, or regret—crying out in grief. As followers of Jesus, we are called to lament! We are made in the image of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And, throughout the Bible we see examples of the trinity lamenting. Early in the Bible, God lamented the wickedness of man. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him to his heart (Genesis 6:5-6). Immediately following this regret and grief, God sent the flood. He blotted out everyone but Noah and his family. In Isaiah 63:10, the word says, but they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. This verse is referencing Israel’s rebellion after being led by Moses out of Egypt. And we see examples of Jesus lamenting. It’s an often quoted and the shortest verse in the Bible found in John 11:35, Jesus wept. His dear friend Lazarus had died, and he was overcome with grief. Jesus not only expressed this sorrow, but he gave us a true picture of lament in the Garden of Gethsemane. His lament to the Father was so deep his sweat was as drops of blood falling from his body. Jesus tells his disciples his soul is very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38). He then fell on his face, and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Taking these examples from the Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus, how do we lament? We will look at the life of David and how he modeled lament. And we will consider why this is so important within the context of work.
Transcribe →Why Lament Is Important
Jul 400:14:28Tap to summarizePresented by Lauren Stigben As a culture we are so consumed with what is in front of us. Typically, we don’t “feel” an injustice or the brokenness in this world until it really hits home. Our concerns are focused on the here and now, the me and not the us. Let’s reflect. I live in a nice suburb of a large city. My grass is green, and my neighbors are friendly. I live on a street that has no outlet, meaning if you don’t need to be on it to come home, visit someone, or deliver a package, you would have no reason to be here. Safe. I am not thinking about theft and brokenness here very much. Last week, our neighbor rang the bell distraught. In broad daylight, someone parked in front of his driveway and stole his children’s play climber from just outside his open garage. He was seeking any camera footage. Just like that, my mind wondered who would do such a thing?! I thought about safety in my neighborhood. I lamented the brokenness of a woman in a nice white SUV stealing a plastic play climber. And while my insular suburban bubble was broken, I only thought of that: my bubble, me, and my neighbor. Let’s shift to work. Reflect on this, how much do you think about unemployment or underemployment? How much are you thinking about jobless rates or layoffs? How much are you thinking about injustices at work like hiring discrimination or harassment? How much are you thinking about building relationships with younger generational workers to mentor them? Are you thinking about your supply chain? Is your workplace honorable to God? Unless you are experiencing these things or you are working very specifically in a field that addresses these issues, my guess is you are not thinking about them much at all. They may never cross your mind, or perhaps you simply make a nice donation to a charity that works for a cause. The list of brokenness spans much greater than my mentions here. As a reminder, this all started with Adam and Eve. Perfection turned to multiplied pain, dissonant desires between men and women, pain, and sweat. It moved to jealousy and murder with Cain and Abel, and on it multiplied. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, and so are we. And this sin caused our God to lament! God saw violence and corruption that really grieved God. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart (Genesis 6:6). We are made in his image, and if lament is modeled by God himself, this should be a strong indication that this is his plan for us too. We need to care about the things God cares about and this extends beyond our immediate needs. He calls us to see things like Jesus did, through a lens of loving him and loving our neighbors. As I have shared before, this extends into our workplace. As ambassadors for Jesus at work, lament is one way we can shine the light of Christ in dark times. The simple act of engaging in and acknowledging brokenness can open the door for you to share how your lament is brought to God because you trust him even when things seem like they cannot get any worse or better. This takes both a level of micro and macro engagement and very good listening. At a micro level, perhaps you learn someone is dealing with a significant challenge in your workplace. I mean, let’s face it, life is lifey! Issues can range from death of a loved one, health, marriage, prodigal children, caring for an elderly parent, and many more! Or it could be an issue of someone not feeling like they fit in at the office. Perhaps you know someone who has been out of work for a longer period. Jesus was our best model of the micro level lament for others. He saw each individual in their need. Think about the compassion he showed the woman who was so desperate in her illness that she crawled through crowds in the dirt just to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment. He stopped as he was on his way to be part of someone else’s lament over a sick and dying young girl. Clearly the woman believed Jesus could heal her, but think of the years before that moment. The lament she must have cried with in her personal pain and loneliness. He met the grief and lament of his dear friends Mary and Martha when their brother and Jesus’ friend Lazarus passed away. In John 11:35 we read, Jesus wept. In Romans 12:15 we are told to weep with those who weep. Sometimes we are called to lament over the sin of another person. We cannot change them, but we can cry out to God about their brokenness and trust that can redeem anything. Jesus lamented over the heart of the rich young man who was unwilling to give up his possessions to follow him. In Mark 10:21, we read Jesus looked at him and loved him. Sometimes when we see people who are stuck in patterns of sin, believers or not, it is fitting to cry out to the Lord. God, how long will so and so keep on in their sin? God, when will you call so and so to follow you? Ultimately, we need to trust God to move in a sinner’s heart. What about macro engagement? In this sense I am talking more about issues facing groups of people. Perhaps it is a large issue at your workplace like fear of a layoff that is buzzing around the proverbial water cooler. But, more often, we are engaging in conversations that shape our local, national, and global communities. All this can be polarizing and choosing what to lament is simply impossible sometimes because there is so much brokenness to choose from! David’s lament to God about the wicked in Psalm 10 is fitting even today. Some selected verses from this Psalm read: “Why, O’ Lord do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him, all his thoughts are “There is no God.” (Psalm 10:1-4). His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent (Psalm 10:7-8). The Psalm is further filled with words like helpless, crushed, forgotten. I encourage you to read Psalm 10 in its entirety. Jesus even lamented over the people in his day in Matthew 17:17. O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long must I put up with you… (Matthew 17:17). Nothing is new. How long will we be dealing with the evil in this world Jesus promises us in John 16:33? The short and disconcerting answer is until Jesus returns. In the meantime, how can we share grief together over some of these heavy broken issues? How you express your deep concern and grief about these macro issues can shape how people view you at work. Do you engage in the latest rhetoric on the news, or do you point out the root causes of the issue at hand, and explain that you pray for these things? Do you perhaps suggest action? For example, if your community deals with homelessness and food insecurity, are you talking about it or taking action to help your colleagues be part of the solution. Perhaps you suggest serving at a local shelter or doing a food drive. Taking action can be one of the most loving things you can do! One of our prayer leaders here at The Christian Working Woman takes time each month to pour into a community of elderly who don’t have a lot of resources. They deal with loneliness and other insecurities. Just the time she spends brings them hope and love that many don’t have from family. This is also something she can share with her colleagues! What about when you simply don’t have the words or actions? Some of the challenges today are way too big for us and we may not know what to say, let alone what to pray or do! Take heart. Romans 8:26 reminds us, In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26). We can feel this heaviness in our body—a tightness in our chest, shoulders, and headaches. It can even be so heavy the injustice makes us angry. These feelings rise up that you may want to call righteous anger. Remember, only God can judge and provide ultimate justice! We simply are not made as superheroes, and try as we may, we can’t separate from the feelings we have to address something in a loving and Christ honoring way. Sometimes lament can be fiery—a direct complaint to God. He wants to hear this too! We simply may not understand why God isn’t moving like Habakkuk. In Habakkuk1:1-4 we hear the prophet lament, O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you, “Violence” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence before me; strife and contention arise. So, the law is paralyzed and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so, justice goes forth perverted (Habakkuk1:1-4). In both the micro and macro situations we face at work each day, we need to humbly seek God and know he will work all things for our good and for his glory in due time. Lament allows us to unburden our hearts to God and remember we are from God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Our hope needs to be set to eternity when Jesus returns to restore his Kingdom! He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall t...
Transcribe →Lamenting – 5
Jul 300:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Julie Busteed Growing up, for as long as I can remember, the one thing I truly dreamed about was having a family. I imagined what we would do together, what our children’s names would be, what kind of house we would live in, and what life together would look like. When my husband and I got married, we planned for a family. After some time passed and I still wasn’t pregnant, I began to worry. That started the long process of doctor appointments, testing, and trying to figure out what was wrong. Every month became a roller coaster of hope followed by disappointment. At one point, testing revealed what might have been an issue. Once it was resolved, I remember thinking, “That was the problem. Now that it’s fixed, the Lord will bless us.” But that’s not what happened. Later, there were other issues that needed to be addressed, and again I thought, “Now that this has been resolved, surely the Lord will bless us with a child.” But again, no. Many people were praying for us, and many offered advice. We explored different options, but it all felt overwhelming. I remember thinking, “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to happen.” Why did it seem so easy for others and not for me? Why was God blessing others and not me? Was I somehow not good enough to be a mother? There were so many tears over those years. So much loneliness. So many moments of feeling forgotten. It was a season of deep lament—the death of a long hoped-for dream. And through it all, I was trying so hard to control the outcome. Then one day, I finally sensed the Lord asking me, “Do you trust me? Do you trust me even if you don’t get the life you always dreamed of? Am I still Lord of your life?” Both then and now, my answer is yes. Our story does not have the “happy ending” people might expect. We were never able to have children. And honestly, I still don’t understand why. Medically, no clear explanation was ever found. We live with the unanswered questions and the not knowing. But we also live knowing that God is still good, still faithful, and still worthy of our trust. He has blessed us in countless other ways. Are you in a similar situation where the Lord is asking you to trust him no matter what? I don’t have an easy answer for you—except that it is simple. Trust God. Know him more and more. Dig into his Word. Be in community with other Christ-followers. Continue to talk to him and bring all your cares to him. Let him carry them. His burden is light and his yoke is easy. Continue to praise him, even if it feels awkward or fake. Your emotions will follow the praise and worship you give to God. There is hope. Eternal hope.
Transcribe →Lamenting – 4
Jul 200:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Julie Busteed Have you ever read the book of Book of Job? Or is it one of those books you tend to skim through in your Bible reading plan? I understand if you do. It can be difficult to read chapter after chapter filled with anguish and suffering. But Job’s life gives us a powerful example worth paying attention to. We’re told Job was blameless and upright, a man who feared God and turned away from evil. He had a wife, many children, enormous wealth, servants, and great influence. Scripture even says he was the greatest man among all the people of the East. Yet, God allowed Job to be tested by Satan. In a short period of time, Job lost nearly everything—his wealth, his children, and even his health and reputation. For much of the book, we read Job’s cries of sorrow and lament, along with the mostly unhelpful responses from his friends. They assumed his suffering must be punishment for some hidden sin. What they did not know was the conversation that had taken place between God and Satan at the beginning of the story. God had allowed this testing for a purpose. The apostle Peter later writes that trials test the genuineness of our faith so that it may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. There is purpose, even when we cannot see it. Eventually, God spoke to Job. And when Job demanded answers, God reminded him he alone is God. And Job finally learned when nothing else was left, he still had God. And that was enough. The deeper relationship with God is great joy. In the end, Job’s wealth was restored and he was blessed again. But in our own lives, we do not always receive the kind of ending Job did. And still, we are called to trust God. Knowing God is better than knowing all the answers. Do you believe that? Do you live that way? We all want explanations for why certain things happen or why they do not happen. Yet, many times those answers never come. What do we do with unanswered questions, with hopes and expectations that seem to be slipping away? We turn toward knowing God more deeply. Job ultimately says, though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15). What a statement of faith. Could you say that? Could I? Could we honestly say, “Even if God does not give me this particular hope or blessing, I will still trust him”? Or “Even when life is painful, disappointing, and heartbreaking, I will continue to hope in God”? If you are in a difficult season right now, I encourage you to spend time in Psalms. They give voice to deep grief, fear, frustration, and sorrow, while continually turning our eyes back to the living God and the hope we have in him.
Transcribe →Lamenting – 3
Jul 100:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Julie Busteed The disciples did not expect Jesus to suffer and die on a cross. They believed he was the Messiah sent from God, and after spending three years with him, they had come to know and trust him deeply. Yet they still did not fully understand what was ahead. The prophets had spoken about the Messiah’s suffering, and Jesus himself told the disciples several times that he would suffer, die, and rise again. Matthew records: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter responded by rebuking Jesus: “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Jesus answered him sharply: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Matthew 16:21-23). What a contrast for Peter. Earlier, Jesus had blessed him for declaring Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Now Peter is being rebuked because he was focused on earthly expectations instead of God’s greater plan. Peter envisioned a kingdom established immediately—a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel’s power. He likely imagined reigning alongside King Jesus. Then suddenly, Jesus spoke of suffering and death instead. And when Jesus was crucified, the disciples were devastated. Their hopes and expectations seemed completely shattered. They had dreamed of freedom, restoration, and a visible earthly kingdom. Instead, they faced grief, confusion, and despair. It wasn’t until after the resurrection, when they saw Jesus alive again, that the pieces began to come together. Only then did they begin to understand the kingdom Jesus had been talking about all along—not merely an earthly kingdom, but an eternal one. I know we all experience disappointment and grief in this life, and often it doesn’t seem fair. Sometimes you may even wonder if you’ve done something wrong for God to withhold the blessing you hoped and prayed for. It is normal to lament—to grieve when life does not turn out the way you expected. It is normal to cry out to God, ask him questions, and at times feel as though he is silent. But I urge you not to give up or turn away from him. Continue to bring your sorrow honestly before him and then remind yourself of who he is and what he has already done for you. God loved you enough to send his only Son as the perfect sacrifice for your sin so you could be reconciled to him and have eternal life. This life, with all its joys and heartbreaks, is temporary. You and I have so much to be thankful for and to look forward to when we do meet the resurrected Jesus face to face.
Transcribe →Lamenting – 2
Jun 3000:03:00Tap to summarizePresented by Julie Busteed Have you ever dreamed and planned for a future only to have it not work out? In John 4, we see Jesus encounter someone who knew that feeling well. Jesus and his disciples were traveling from Jerusalem back to Galilee. Instead of avoiding Samaria, as most Jews did because of the deep division between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus chose to go through it. Around midday, tired and thirsty, he stopped at Jacob’s well while his disciples went into town for food. A Samaritan woman came to draw water at the hottest part of the day. Most women came in the cool morning hours, but she came when she expected no one else to be there. Later we learn why: she had been married five times, and the man she was living with was not her husband. Her life likely had not turned out the way she had imagined. She may have carried shame, disappointment, loneliness, or a sense that she would never escape the cycle she was in. Then she encountered Jesus. She was surprised a Jewish man would even speak to her. But Jesus breaks barriers. Their conversation began with physical water, but Jesus quickly turned it toward spiritual things, offering her living water that would become a spring of water welling up to eternal life. At first, she misunderstood him and asked for this water so she would no longer have to return to the well by herself in the heat of the day. But as the conversation continued, she realized Jesus knew everything about her life. Instead of condemning her, he revealed himself to her. When she spoke about the coming Messiah, Jesus told her plainly, I who speak to you am he. This is the first recorded time Jesus openly identified himself as the Messiah, and he did so not to religious leaders in Jerusalem, but to a Samaritan woman at a well. Her response was immediate. She returned to town and told everyone, Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? John tells us many Samaritans believed because of her testimony, and many more believed after hearing Jesus for themselves. They declared he truly was the Savior of the world. This Samaritan woman who was living a life she probably didn’t dream of or plan for, now had hope and purpose because of her meeting with Jesus. Once she realized who he was, she couldn’t help but tell others who he was and what he had done for her. Whatever shame or embarrassment she previously felt, fell away. I think there must have been a visible difference in her manner and appearance, because the people listened to her and came out to meet Jesus and hear from him. An unlikely meeting between a Jewish rabbi and a Samaritan woman led many people to faith. And what first drew her to believe was not a miracle or a sign, but the realization that Jesus fully knew her and still offered her grace. Maybe just like this woman your dreams and plans are not happening as you expected. Maybe you’re grieving unfulfilled dreams. You are filled with disappointment, sorrow, and loneliness. Please know God sees you. He hears your cries of lament. He has a purpose and a plan, and it’s better than you can imagine. It just might not happen in your timing. Continue to trust in him, to offer him praise because of who he is, to walk daily with him. He is your only true source of peace and joy.
Transcribe →