Surprising Rendezvous

If we freed ourselves to experience a more surprising rendezvous, we would find a surprisingly refreshing acquaintance. Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” (John 4:27 NIV) The backdrop of this story looks like this: Jesus is sitting by a well in the middle of the day, and engages in conversation with a Samaritan woman. Historically, it was considered socially unacceptable for a Jewish person to speak to a Samaritan person. It was even worse for a Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman. Therefore, it was utterly outrageous that the woman that Jesus chose to converse with was not a typical housewife: she was a social outcast. While John does not explicitly explain why this particular woman had been shunned into vagrancy, it is clear that the woman – and everybody around her – did not dispute her social standing. When you read the story, you will find that Jesus placed importance on neither the woman’s social standing nor what others think (whether about the woman herself, or the fact that Jesus would be seen speaking to her). He simply continues to engage in conversation with his acquaintance, and boosts her social value by way of association. Jesus did something that we Christians in the 21st Century readily neglect: He engaged Himself in serious dialogue with someone whose views differed from His own. We diligently avoid engaging in conversations and friendships with those that we deem neither holy nor similar to ourselves: we not only avoid heart-to-heart exchanges with non-Christians, but with Christians of differing denominations, as well! However, it is imperative that we allow ourselves the freedom to cultivate these acquaintances: there is a chance that you may be the only person in the world who can intervene in the life of this acquaintance (whom we meet at the well mid-day). Just think about all the opportunities that may have passed you by, because you refused to grant yourself the freedom to speak to someone in your life. Don’t worry, introverts: I’m not advocating for you to be the extrovert that you are not. Instead, be cognizant that you, along with the Holy Spirit within you, can contribute something of value to this acquaintance you meet at the well. You may be waiting now, by a well in the middle of the day, because God wants you to experience a surprising rendezvous such as this.