Have you ever been so thirsty, that your lips stick together and you feel like you can’t even talk? I often get that way when I am really nervous.  It doesn’t matter how much water I drink or how much I try to hydrate my body, I’m still so thirsty.

A long time ago now, I had this dream just before I was discerning my call in Pennsylvania. The dream went like this: I was on an elevator and when the doors opened, I was in some other place that I didn’t recognize. It was one of those bizarre dreams that really never makes any sense. I’ll spare you the details, but I was wandering, trying to find my way home. I became so thirsty to the point that I could not speak. My lips just stuck together!  As I walked, I came upon a bench where two homeless men sitting. They looked so pitiful and honestly, I felt pitiful too.  I didn’t know where I was, where I was going, or what I was supposed to do. I tried speaking to them, but my mouth was too dry. I was so thirsty! So, I did the only thing I knew to do, I started praying.  And, as I spoke, I began to tell the two men about Jesus and how Jesus could help them and heal them.  I started proclaiming Christ! And, with this proclamation, I was able to speak! It was literally the only words that would come out of mouth!

In John 4:5-42, Jesus is in Samaria where he meets a Samaritan woman at the well, in the middle of the day. Samaria would have been for the disciples and “unknown” territory.  It was not a place where Jews lived. I believe there was a reason this woman comes to the well in the heat of the day.  She is a sinner. She doesn’t want to be seen by the other women.  Most likely, she is chastised, and even considered an outcast in her community.  And, Jesus calls her out on it!

Jesus begins his conversation with her by asking her for a drink of water from the well.

Right away, she is confused as to why this Jewish man would even speak to her. She says, “Why are asking me?” Jesus responds, “If you only knew what I was offering today! If you could only see that the water I have for you will change your life forever!”  And then, Jesus begins to lay out her whole life before her. Jesus says to her, “Go call your husband and come back. She replies, “I have no husband.” You are right, Jesus says, “You have had five husbands and the man you are with now is not your husband.”

Jesus reveals to her that he knows everything about her and she is convicted of her sin. This man standing in front of her knows her heart, knows her life story, and knows every mistake she has made. The women confessed her sin, “I don’t have a husband.”  Jesus says, “You are right, you have had 5 husbands, and the man you are living with now is not even your husband.”

Samaria is not a place. It is an experience of God’s grace! It is an experience that we all get to partake in without ever having to go to Samaria. It is an experience where we stand before our Lord and Savior thirsty for His amazing grace and love! Our lips are parched with sin, and, our confessions linger for forgiveness!

Jesus says, “Come – I will give you Living Water!  I will give you water that becomes like a spring of water gushing up into eternal life! I will give you water that is filled with God’s grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness!

What does this women do then? She leaves and tells everyone about her experience with the Lord! You see, when we experience God’s grace, His proclamation cannot be contained. You don’t have to worry about what you will say or do – it will just happen!

I believe my dream revealed my call to me. I had to go to Pennsylvania and proclaim Christ in that place. I have experienced God’s grace over-and-over again! I am called to proclaim Christ! I may not have the right words for anything else, but I do know that Jesus loves you and He wants you to know that!  Grace abounds through His death and resurrection!

Experience Samaria and be changed forever!