A Courageous Conversation

gazed out the window and smelled every flower that was in bloom. It was clear that spring was in the air. My husband and I were on our way to participate in the water bottle ministry, which would take place in front of our church. Numerous water bottles had been prepared with labels that read, “Whoever drinks this water I give him will never thirst (John 4:14).” Our mission was to bravely distribute as many bottles as we could and hope that the message would make an impact.

Jesus depicts courage in his encounter with a Samaritan woman when he asks her for a drink. This conversation was unheard of, considering it was unacceptable for Jews to speak to Samaritans. Jesus was exhausted from his travels to Galilee, but he found an opportunity to speak to a woman who would be forever changed by a single conversation.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan, how can you ask me for a drink? For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water (John 4:9-10).”

Jesus took a risk to speak to this woman by breaking down social boundaries. How many times do we dismiss conversation when we are worn out, tired and do not have the time? Jesus took the time to have a courageous conversation despite his physical state and cultural norm, which would otherwise prohibit such interaction. “Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4: 13-14).” Jesus initiated this conversation, because he had an opportunity to share the truth. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:22-24).”

Our water bottle ministry prepared us to converse with individuals about the truth. However, what will we do when there is no preparation? How will we approach a courageous conversation by ourselves? It can be difficult to find such interactions in our fast pace world. However, when we look for the opportunity, we should ask ourselves… are we ready to be courageous?