I Don’t Have It
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. John 4:1-8
Yesterday, I felt overwhelmed by various responsibilities. The pressures of parenthood were exhausting, work obligations were demanding, and teaching my grandchildren proper behavior was challenging. It is a relentless battle from sunrise to sunset, and then realized I must wake up and repeat it all over again. There was a part of me that felt like saying enough is enough. This was overwhelming, and I just did not have it in me. How can one effectively manage all these demands?
Around midday, I watched a video from a friend discussing the concept of patience in the Bible. It was my first time hearing her speak, and despite its brief duration, I felt reenergized. This prompted me to commend her on the quality of her speech and encourage her to share more such insights. This interaction reminded me of advice given by my pastor as I was departing church this past Sunday. He mentioned that many individuals he encounters lack a supportive community. Some families are so disconnected that children rarely visit their parents, and grandchildren seldom spend extended periods with their grandparents. It was encouraging that I could provide that for my family. This made me aware that there are issues far more significant than my own. As I reflected in a previous writing, I do not have to deal with the challenges that I face. I get to deal with them because they offer me the opportunity to demonstrate God's work within me to my wife, children, and grandchildren.
God provides us strength even when we don’t have it within us. In today's verses, the narrative of Jesus takes us to His encounter with the Samaritan woman. The story of the Samaritan woman is significant, but the journey to reach her is emphasized in these verses. Jesus chose to avoid the Pharisees and travel back to Galilee. Known for not shying away from conflict, Jesus did not avoid the Pharisees out of fear. So, what prompted His decision to go elsewhere? It was simply not the right time. Therefore, He opted to walk to Galilee, about 65-70 miles away, to delay the inevitable conflict with the Pharisees. Additionally, He was willing to endure physical fatigue during this journey.
Why, then, would Jesus choose to speak to the Samaritan woman after a long and tiring walk? We can derive a couple of insights from this. First, Jesus Christ understands us because whereas we can say He truly has walked in our shoes. Last week, I discussed the importance of empathy in our journey of faith. Jesus exemplifies empathy by enduring hardships. Secondly, He recognizes the greater purpose beyond His immediate needs, which, in this case, was spreading the message to the gentiles through the Samaritan woman. How often have we been exhausted from the day when someone important in our life needs us? I am not suggesting that you deprive yourself of necessary rest. Rather, like Christ, we should consider summoning the strength we have for the greater good of those in more significant need. My wife needs assurance of my love and provision. My children require guidance and mentorship to help them grow. Additionally, my grandchildren deserve to feel loved and appreciated. These are the people that need me, and even though I may tire, sometimes, I need to remember the words of Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV):
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
God can give us a way when we do not see it. As we journey through our daily lives, remember that our strength and patience come from God. Just as Jesus showed resilience and compassion during His travels, we too can find the courage to face our challenges with grace. Let us lean on our faith, knowing that God's love and support are always with us, ready to renew our spirits. How can recognizing a greater purpose in our actions help us find the strength to support our loved ones during challenging times? In what practical ways can you show love and support to your family and friends as Jesus showed compassion to the Samaritan woman? My prayer is we take on both the humanity and perseverance of Christ when we just don’t have it in us. Amen.