As we begin a new year many of us long for changes in the routines of our lives. We can feel caught in a rut, lacking motivation and downright bored. Wouldn’t it be nice if somehow something new would happen?
In the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John we read about a Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus. She comes to the well at a time during the day when she most certainly was not expecting to have to deal with people. It seems from John’s account that she was most likely a person who was dealing with feelings of rejection. She already had been divorced by four husbands and she apparently didn’t care to socialize at the well. In fact she is surprised when Jesus talks to her. Life is hard. She may have her own unique set of challenges, but she still represents each one of us for we, too, face difficult and harsh situations in our own lives.
Her “chance” encounter with Jesus turns out to be a “divine appointment.” In the course of their conversation Jesus reveals to her that He is the Christ, the one whom she knows is coming. This revelation changes her life. It changes her! It’s a new, new day for her. This woman who appears to be avoiding people leaves her waterpot at the well and goes back into the city telling everyone she can about “the man at the well” who has changed her life.
The same thing happens to each of us when we meet up with him. Jesus can and does make all things new. When we surrender our hearts and lives to him it is a new, new day. Our lives are forever changed by who he is and what he has done!
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “When anyone is in Christ there is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
May God continue his transforming work in your life during this coming year.
