The
Well After Hours
A Christian Woman’s Place For
Conversations
Young women typically had
the daily chore of drawing water from wells to supply the family
household. Although the primary function of wells in ancient Israel
was to supply water for the household, the centralized, open
location of wells allowed them to serve as social gathering places.
As the women drew from the well, they could talk to other women,
some older and some younger, share their daily experiences or
struggles or uncertainties about marriage, a life raising children,
how to build a healthy home environment, and how to live as godly
women.
The women went to the well twice daily, usually at dawn and at dusk.
The Gospel of John 4:7-29 gives us the account of one woman, the
Samaritan woman, who was not attending at the hours most women
gathered to draw from the deep well because of her past and current
situation. Her times were after the hours of the other women, for it
was the sixth hour, which was about 12:00 noon. The Samaritan woman
was not able to engage with other women at the well as it appears,
she was an outcast because of her past record and her present living
arrangements; though she was looking for the Messiah and worshipped
God in the only way she knew. Whether she was withdrawn by her own
convictions or an outcast by the convictions of others, it is not
certain. But she was not comfortable going to the Well at the same
time others would and have social conversations. Her present
condition was only understood by one, Jesus Christ the righteous
Savior and redeemer, who had “need to go through Samaria,” the
avoided route toward Galilee by the religious Jews. Her inability to
get to the well with others, left her with many unanswered questions
of her Faith and separated from those she possibly could get answers
from. Because of her timing to draw from the well she was left
alone, isolated, unsupported, which probably left her discouraged
and lonely.
When women are not able to gather unto the “WELL” of living
waters of life, the Word of God, the place of necessity that will
enhance their lives, build their faith, solidify relationships, help
grow and provide the greatest remedy for our Faith, weakness of soul
and spirit will occur and cause one to slowly slip into darkness.
No woman, who professes the love of Christ, should be isolated
because of her struggles as she walks out her life of Faith. Iron
sharpens iron and we who profess to be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might, ought to be able to strengthen our sisterhood
instead of criticizing and shaming each other publicly or privately.
We have the ministry of reconciliation and need to fight to keep the
weakest of our sisters and brothers connected to the cleansing
“water of the WORD” of God (Eph. 5:26).
Jesus did the unexpected of his disciples, He had a conversation
with the woman from a people who the Jews rejected, and explained
the Word to her that gave revelation to her misunderstanding of
worship and the Word of God. It is said that people don’t care how
much you know until they know how much you care. While it is
imperative to tell people about “SIN & HELL” it is equally important
to continually tell them about Jesus’ Love and Forgiveness and
encourage them never to give up, never to quit because the
consequences are too great!
It is the prayerful intent of “THE WELL AFTER HOURS” to
provide a well, a safe gathering place, where the Well of Living
Waters of the Word will spring forth allowing women to engage in
conversations on topics pertaining to our lives here on earth as we
prepare to meet Jesus and be with him eternally in HEAVEN.
Women are the head of many households in these trying times and are
facing many challenges. Although we are not all at the same
spiritual level at the same time, we all need encouragement and we
all need to go to the Well for strength, one of the necessities of
life. The Church of the living God is washed and cleansed by the
living Word of God. Women need the Word applied to their everyday
lives. We must draw from it and carry it to our homes, our places of
employment, our social gatherings, our churches, our institutions
and every area involving life. Let’s create wells where women can drink from, and be redeemed,
refreshed, revived, renewed, reconciled, encouraged, fortified, and
strengthened to help the Lord’s Will be done on earth as it is in
Heaven.
