Uncontained Joy
“Your testimony is powerful simply because it’s real.”
John 4:27-30, 39-42 (NLT)
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the World.”
Reflection
I’ve struggled with endometriosis for years. During a procedure to help address the pain, something didn’t look right to my surgeon, so she ordered an MRI. When she called me with the results, the words “you may struggle to conceive and will likely not be able to carry a baby to term” rang in my ears. I wasn’t even dating anyone at the time, but God knew I wanted to be a mom more than anything. I was devastated. I spent the next ten years praying with my church community for God to work a miracle in my body, fulfill my deepest desire through other means, or change my heart entirely, but, ultimately, for His will to be done. It was a long season of hope, prayer, and mostly waiting.
Fast forward almost ten years to March of 2022, and I was married to my wonderful husband Matt, had gained two bonus preteens/teenagers, and had just started a new job as an executive. I thought I had been pregnant for at least a month, based on the number of symptoms I was experiencing, but every pregnancy test I took, including a blood test, was negative. I had also miscarried a few months earlier. Then, finally, a week after I started my new job, I took a pregnancy test again, and the test was positive! Jesus had done a miracle! I called my closest family and friends in excitement and asked them to keep praying I would carry this precious miracle to term. I later found out that we were having a baby boy and that I was out of statistical danger. I knew in an instant I wanted to name our baby Samuel, which means “God heard me” and “I asked God for him.” My joy was finally uncontained!
I told my story to anyone who asked (and many who didn’t) when I was due or if I knew the baby’s gender. The response was incredible. People would start crying or get chills as I told them what Jesus had done for me. I know my story introduced many people to the “Savior of the World” (verse 42).
Today’s scripture of the woman at the well teaches us that God blesses us for more than just our good; He also blesses us for His glory. The Samaritan woman simply said, “He told me everything I ever did” (verse 39), and that was enough for the people of Sychar. Your testimony is powerful simply because it’s real. Allow it to bless the people around you.
Action Steps
Today, tell your family, friends, or coworkers what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please unleash the joy You’ve placed in my heart through Your saving grace so that I can’t help but tell everyone I know about how You’ve saved me. Let what You’ve done for me give others hope that leads them to You. Amen.
For Further Study: Revelation 12:1
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the World.”
Reflection
I’ve struggled with endometriosis for years. During a procedure to help address the pain, something didn’t look right to my surgeon, so she ordered an MRI. When she called me with the results, the words “you may struggle to conceive and will likely not be able to carry a baby to term” rang in my ears. I wasn’t even dating anyone at the time, but God knew I wanted to be a mom more than anything. I was devastated. I spent the next ten years praying with my church community for God to work a miracle in my body, fulfill my deepest desire through other means, or change my heart entirely, but, ultimately, for His will to be done. It was a long season of hope, prayer, and mostly waiting.
Fast forward almost ten years to March of 2022, and I was married to my wonderful husband Matt, had gained two bonus preteens/teenagers, and had just started a new job as an executive. I thought I had been pregnant for at least a month, based on the number of symptoms I was experiencing, but every pregnancy test I took, including a blood test, was negative. I had also miscarried a few months earlier. Then, finally, a week after I started my new job, I took a pregnancy test again, and the test was positive! Jesus had done a miracle! I called my closest family and friends in excitement and asked them to keep praying I would carry this precious miracle to term. I later found out that we were having a baby boy and that I was out of statistical danger. I knew in an instant I wanted to name our baby Samuel, which means “God heard me” and “I asked God for him.” My joy was finally uncontained!
I told my story to anyone who asked (and many who didn’t) when I was due or if I knew the baby’s gender. The response was incredible. People would start crying or get chills as I told them what Jesus had done for me. I know my story introduced many people to the “Savior of the World” (verse 42).
Today’s scripture of the woman at the well teaches us that God blesses us for more than just our good; He also blesses us for His glory. The Samaritan woman simply said, “He told me everything I ever did” (verse 39), and that was enough for the people of Sychar. Your testimony is powerful simply because it’s real. Allow it to bless the people around you.
Action Steps
Today, tell your family, friends, or coworkers what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please unleash the joy You’ve placed in my heart through Your saving grace so that I can’t help but tell everyone I know about how You’ve saved me. Let what You’ve done for me give others hope that leads them to You. Amen.
For Further Study: Revelation 12:1
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