The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
-John 4:25
I've probably read this section of scripture dozens of times. I've skimmed over it, sometimes simply categorizing it as a story about a woman who is reluctant to see the truth about her situation, other times seeing the Jesus who will do anything to reach the unclean, the sinner, the outcast. I've identified with the adulteress, been frustrated with her ignorance, and wondered at Jesus' patience. And I've been grateful that Jesus treats me the way He treated her.
But never, never have I seen, really seen verse 25 the way I did this week.
On Sunday, Shawn preached the first of many sermons in a series he's called "Rooted," an ongoing study of the foundations of our faith in the book of Hebrews. The whole of the first message had to do with God's word, that He speaks and intends to be heard by us. His desire is that He be intimately known and adored by His people. The Father wants that His words should reveal to us His loving kindness, His steadfastness, and the grace afforded us by the immeasurable, inexhaustible worth of His Son's spilled blood. How easy it is to see that God is love when His reason for speaking at all is to show how greatly He cares for us! In all of His Word, He says little else.
Still, I find there are times when I am not at all comforted by it. It's easy to feel like my life is a never ending parade of tragedy or heartache: meaningless, purposeless sufferings, one thing after another. I hate the way that sentence sounds, knowing that just putting it to "paper" seems like a bid for sympathy or is, at the very least, a whiny exaggeration. And maybe it is. I guess the point is that I don't always know what to do with the hardships I face. I don't always know how to choose joy and faith and trust. "Give it to God. Give it to God."
How?
It's easier said than done.
I guess for me, the worst part is just...now knowing why these trials are good for me. I know that Romans says suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5), and I believe it, but what part of my character is being developed? What am I supposed to learn from this...thing? Is it patience? How to love the unlovely? How to suffer graciously (at the very least)? Am I supposed to be that girl, who despite her pain, is always smiling? That is known for joy?
I see the testimony in that; I do. It's enough for me, even though I wish I had more to go on.
So when Shawn read that little bit out of John 4, I just felt this enormous swell in my spirit. This simple, wayward Samaritan woman had faith that one day, Messiah would explain everything to her people. Though she and Jesus had been conversing about the proper way to worship, I am confident that she was right. One day, Jesus will explain everything to me.
One day, I'll have the opportunity to see how the way of my suffering has made it possible for others to endure. I'll see how He was glorified by my expression of faith through grace when it was impossible to stand in any other way. I'll have the opportunity to stand in the company of souls who entered into eternity with the Father because of this unique testimony.
Isn't that something I ought to be proud of?
Knowing that I will know someday...I can't wait for that. I can't wait to see what God has done through me for His own glory.
*sigh* And...maybe I should just stop whining. After all, Jesus suffered first.
In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
-Revelation 5:12
