Lenten Reader | Day 12

February 27th, 2024

Heard for Ourselves

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 4:39-42

Blind faith. I have a hard time with this. I have to feel it, touch it. I have to see it with my own eyes.

Growing up we didn’t attend church. Maybe Easter or Christmas, but that was it. I didn’t understand church. As an adult I went about life doing life things. Family, work, putting a roof over our heads. Then IT happened. Divorce. Boy was I lost. I hit bottom. I prayed one night: “God, get me out of this, take away my misery, I’m lost.” God started working. He put Amy in my life. Change started. I felt better about myself. We attended church on a regular basis. I learned more and more about God. I was baptized. That was a changing experience, but I did not think I was in the right place yet.

I went on this Walk to Emmaus thing. A three-day, lock-yourself-in, no-media experience with a bunch of guys. Not at all where I wanted to be. The first day I kept to myself. I didn’t talk to anyone, and I didn’t participate. But the second day I experienced it. The testimonies from these men… WOW! On day three I was involved, opening up and having relationships with these men. Having church.

What does this mean? Faith. Trust in Him. He will show us the path to follow. Like the woman to the Samaritans. When they heard the word, they believed. I heard the word, but I didn’t understand until I experienced the word; felt it and saw it.

We believe because our faith stands not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. God chooses the broken and vulnerable people to do His work. God is waiting on you right where you are. Our testimonies are a powerful witness of how wonderful the love and intentionality of Jesus is. He seeks us out. No one is too far from Him. There is no such thing as a person too far gone, too sinful, or too broken.

His desire is a relationship – with you.

Aaron Grand