“The worst thing that could happen is that you spend your life trying to outrun God because he’s chasing you to collect what you owe — when he’s really chasing you to give you what you could never afford.”- Kyle Idleman
As Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 2 of Grace Is Greater, he examines three assumptions the Samaritan woman made about Jesus. When we assume these ideas about Jesus, we miss grace in our lives.
Assumption #1: Jesus wants nothing to do with me. Kyle posits that if you assume Jesus has no interest in you, then there’s a good chance you have little interest in Him. Rejection plays a big part in this thought pattern. If you’ve experienced rejection early and often, you learn to build up walls to keep people out.
But, God never gives up on you- and it isn’t too late. God stands ready to meet you right where you are.
Assumption #2: Jesus cares more about religion than me. Just like the woman at the well, Kyle observes, we tend to get religious when Jesus starts getting a little too personal. In fact, Kyle presents a theory. He believes that “the more people obsess over issues that clearly fall under the umbrella of theological interpretation or opinion, the more likely it is they’re trying to keep Jesus from getting too personal in some area of their lives.”
Assumption #3: He’s making an offer that’s too good to be true. Everything the Samaritan woman’s assumed about Jesus and His gifts kept her from getting too close. Like bricks in a wall, her assumptions kept her from grace.
Kyle notes this encounter exemplifies the only time Jesus voluntarily and candidly told someone He’s the Messiah. And Jesus chose this Samaritan woman.
It’s messy, yet beautiful, when God’s grace and mercy collide with our guilt and shame.
Today’s question: What fear underlies the worst thing that could happen to you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The grip of regret – demoralizing, paralyzing”
