Sharing can be difficult, fun, easy, something we've been "told" to do and/or something we've done so often we decide we aren't willing to do it any more - at least with that last piece of chocolate. We've been told, probably since we were toddlers, to share our toys, our food, and our gifts (blessings) with others. Sometimes it is easier to share our difficulties, or problems and prayer requests, than to actually share our blessings. We can share our gifts - how God has blessed us - when we give something like some of my needlework for instance. Sharing how spending time with God has blessed is more difficult though because it requires talking about our God time.
Today's Gospel reading, in John 4, is Jesus talking to a woman (at the well) about renewing/strengthening her relationship with God. Jesus will give her "living water" so she isn't thirsty. Isaiah, chapter 40, is reminding us that even "young men" get tired but God will renew our strength. Both readings are reminders of time with God - individually, like the woman at the well, and "in worship" because Jesus reminds her of worship "in Spirit and Truth." (verse 23) Jesus is encouraging her, and each of us, to be spending time listening (like last week) and talking with God. Then the woman goes and "shares" with her neighbors about her visit with Jesus. She ends up being our first missionary! She definitely becomes a disciple!!
So......... What about each of us? Are we seeking Jesus? Are we being filled with the "Living Water"? Are we listening, like last week, for who Jesus is asking us to "share" with? In a world where it is difficult to bring faith into a conversation can we be aware of the opportunities to really share our faith?
Jesus started with one person and it spread to the whole community. I encourage you, this week, to have the individual time with God. I encourage you to listen for what God is speaking to you about. I encourage you to feel the Living Water giving you the strength to share - even in a time when it is difficult. One-on-one we can share how God is at work in our lives. One-on-one we can bring whole communities to Christ.
Today's Gospel reading, in John 4, is Jesus talking to a woman (at the well) about renewing/strengthening her relationship with God. Jesus will give her "living water" so she isn't thirsty. Isaiah, chapter 40, is reminding us that even "young men" get tired but God will renew our strength. Both readings are reminders of time with God - individually, like the woman at the well, and "in worship" because Jesus reminds her of worship "in Spirit and Truth." (verse 23) Jesus is encouraging her, and each of us, to be spending time listening (like last week) and talking with God. Then the woman goes and "shares" with her neighbors about her visit with Jesus. She ends up being our first missionary! She definitely becomes a disciple!!
So......... What about each of us? Are we seeking Jesus? Are we being filled with the "Living Water"? Are we listening, like last week, for who Jesus is asking us to "share" with? In a world where it is difficult to bring faith into a conversation can we be aware of the opportunities to really share our faith?
Jesus started with one person and it spread to the whole community. I encourage you, this week, to have the individual time with God. I encourage you to listen for what God is speaking to you about. I encourage you to feel the Living Water giving you the strength to share - even in a time when it is difficult. One-on-one we can share how God is at work in our lives. One-on-one we can bring whole communities to Christ.
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