Does anyone remember the story of Baby Jessica from the 1980’s? In 1987, Jessica McClure, an 18 month old toddler fell into a well in her aunt’s back yard and remained trapped there for 58 hours. It made for some riveting television as the entire nation watched the rescue operation. I was only about 12 years old at the time, but I can still recall the horror and fear as I sat glued to the television, wondering if this child would be brought out alive.
Well, let me tell you, one day earlier this spring those fears resurfaced. I had taken the kids up to their school during the never-ending quarantine so they could ride bikes in the empty parking lot. We arrived at the school, the kids hopped on their bikes, and they were off! Riding bikes gives you such a feeling of freedom, with the wind in your hair and the wide open space, and they were having a great time.
I had also brought Jillienne with me (because she’s 2 and can’t stay home alone), and she was having a blast running around a new place, exploring trees and grass and flowers. I was giving her a little leeway to explore on her own, all while still keeping a close eye on her. Suddenly I noticed a large drain built into the side of the parking lot, and I could feel my heart start to beat rapidly, as if it would burst out of my chest. Panic began to set in as I became fearful that Jillienne would fall in. Keep in mind, she was nowhere near that dumb drain. Yet, still, I began to panic.
Here’s the thing – I’m not naturally fearful. I mean, I think we are all a little bit afraid of certain things, but my personality doesn’t naturally gravitate towards fear. Yet on this day, fear took over and I walked out the scenario in my head all the way to the end. How would I get her out if she fell? Who would I call? Who would rescue her from that dark drain? How frightened would she be? Needless to say, we steered clear of that drain for the remainder of the afternoon.
I was recently thinking about Jesus and the woman at the well. Do you know that story? This woman came to the well to draw water in the middle of the day because she knew no-one would be around at that time. She was an outcast in her community because of her reputation and basically, she didn’t want to run into anyone she knew. Maybe you know that feeling. Yet as the woman approached the well, she found Jesus sitting there, asking for a drink of water. I don’t think we can fully appreciate just how scandalous this was – a woman of ill-repute speaking with a Jewish man in the middle of the day.
Jesus must have known she would come to this well, though, right? Because He knew everything about her. He knew her deepest, darkest secrets, and he actually exposed them. But what I noticed most of all was that He didn’t just expose her sins. He lovingly spoke with her. In all my years of reading this story, I don’t think I ever truly understood just how much He must have loved her in that moment. And I’m sure she must have felt that love because she immediately ran back to town to tell everyone about Him.
Here’s where my mind goes when I read this story:
What if Jesus exposed your deepest secrets? What if He exposed mine? What if he made note of my idols? How I can be prideful. How I sometimes desire the spotlight. How jealousy is often harbored in my heart. How I tend to become fearful when things feel out of control. (It feels scary and vulnerable just writing those things down.)
What could He say about you?
How would it feel to have those secrets out in the open? Would it be hurtful to hear my sins spoken out loud? Would I be ashamed? Or, instead, would I finally feel a freedom I had never experienced? Would I run to share this Jesus with others? Like Baby Jessica, would it feel like I was being rescued from darkness?
I think sometimes, for those of us who have grown up in the church, we can be unmoved by stories we’ve heard our entire lives. That’s why it’s important to read scripture with fresh eyes so we can gain wisdom and new understanding. And that’s exactly what happened as I read this story of the woman at the well. I no longer felt as if Jesus was judging her; instead I realized He just wanted her to know that He saw her and He loved her.
And isn’t that all we want, too? To be seen, known, and still be loved anyway?
It’s funny how my fears had disappeared the next time I took the kids to the school parking lot for bike rides. I don’t know why sometimes our fears are greater than other times or why we latch onto something so tightly.
I also don’t know why these two “well” stories were so prominently in my thoughts this week. I’m not sure they’re related at all, other than to draw a connection that Jesus can rescue us from our fears and darkness.
And to remind us that He knows us and loves us despite our failings.
He knows you and loves you. Have a good week, friend.