ROOTED
July 2025 Written by Amy Davies
Jesus presented this woman with the truth of her roots - she was rooted in the love of man, seeking to quench her thirst in relationships, but remaining unfulfilled, evidenced through 5 failed marriages. I can relate - in my early adulthood I craved the love of man, having felt rejection from my father. I longed for the approval of people - it felt real and tangible - superior over a love of God I could not physically prove or comprehend. But I can also vouch for how impossible it was to be satisfied - for mankind will always let us down - no human on earth, aside from Jesus the Messiah, has or ever will be perfect. It is in this perfection that we can place our hope and trust - it is God, not man, who truly defines us. Our identity was designed to be rooted in Him. I wonder what each of us are rooted in today?
We can find our identity so tangled up amongst the various threads of life - perhaps we are defined by our job role, financial or relationship status, life achievements or the conclusions drawn by those surrounding us.
If you’re struggling with your identity, or just need a refresh; I’m journeying declaring these truths in Christ at the moment, and I’d love for you to join me…
Revelation
On reflection, I find myself most struck by the final exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, found in John 4:25-26.
What a powerful ending! This woman went to the well that day as part of what was likely her daily routine - I imagine her dreading the moment, another day trudging in the midday sun whilst everyone else sought shade - isolated and alone, hopeless and unfulfilled. Clinging to one who could not satisfy, looked down upon by all who knew her social standing. Scarcely able to believe anyone would talk to her, let alone a Jewish man. And this man was different - he took time, he spoke with wisdom and then - the Messiah? Could it possibly be?! To choose her, of all people, to reveal himself to?!
Are you ready to respond?
What emotions must have been racing through her mind - to be fully known, yet fully accepted after so long shunned by society. What overwhelming joy must have followed, and we see it in her response, one which inspires.
Fascinating, that in a matter of moments, this woman is willing to let go of her water jar - a priority that she was willing to brave the intense heat of the day to collect - to spread the incredible news to a crowd she had just been avoiding. As Christine put it - what a difference a day can make - one encounter with the Lord can change everything!
This woman’s response offers us both inspiration and challenge - as we too learn the incredible truth of Jesus as our Messiah - what is our response? Where are our priorities?
Are we willing to be bold and take a risk to share the good news - that we have met the one who says “I am He”, or are we more comfortable continuing just as we were?
I wonder if it was as simple as it sounds for this lady - was she so astounded at Christ’s revelations that she forgot her place? Or did it take real courage to speak out and risk rejection? I wonder if we need to be willing to take the risk - to sit in a place of discomfort - to be vulnerable in sharing our testimony.
We all fall short of God’s glory - whilst no two stories are the same, we all have dark places we would rather hide. But as we allow God to bring them into the light we can trust Him to use them for good - a beacon of hope for others. I was once told that God can ‘take the old and turn it to gold’. In Christ, we are free to let go of the past, our mistakes and regrets, but it doesn’t mean we need to forget it altogether. In John 5, Jesus meets a man who has been lame for 38 years. He commands him to “Take up your mat and walk”. This mat was significant. It was where he had laid in his weakness for all that time. I have heard it preached that in carrying his mat as he went, he was commanded to use it as a witness to the miraculous power of God. In God we can boast in our weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9)
What riches were gleaned in this woman being brave enough to speak up!
Power in Authenticity
There is power in authenticity - in being willing to share our journey and the impact Jesus has had on our lives - these point people to Jesus in the truest sense - we are all broken, in need of a Saviour. Who knows - perhaps the very thing Satan meant to harm you is being aligned by Heaven to bring in the harvest for God’s glory. This woman was not where we imagine she wanted to be, yet she was right where she needed to be to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus found her in the ‘even there’ of life and He loved her still, the same applies for each one of us today! (Psalm 139:10)
His ways are higher than ours, let’s continue to put our trust in Him.
Below is the video with Christine Tremain exploring Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well.