Spreading Hope in the midst of Hopelessness

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him...

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41And because of his words many more became believers.

42They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Thoughts:  We can learn a lesson from the Samaritan woman here.  She was not just amazed at Jesus.  She wanted other people to experience the Jesus she knew.  When others heard him, they too believed. 
      On the anniversary of 911, we should see the need to spread the good news of hope.  In times of disaster- man-made or weather-made- we need to find strength and hope.  The woman at the well went from someone ashamed and weak to someone strong enough to reach out to others.  It is often in times of sadness and disaster that we get out of our homes and reach out.  Christians have the good news of hope.  We know the God who knows us.  Let us invite others to share in that hope. When people are sad, alone, dejected, and hopeless (as the woman at the well was), it is important to share the hope we have. 

Prayer: Lord, in a world that lacks hope and is full of fear, help me to show your hope.