Slow Down, Show Up & Pray. Wellbeing the Jesus Way. 5 Day Bible Plan With Ruth RiceSýnishorn

Day 5: Economy of One 

When I talk about the Renew Wellbeing movement people often ask, “How many centres? How many attending, how many hosts?” We are obsessed with numbers. I believe there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting more and more centres, if each will be a place of welcome and safety for those who feel alone. But I remind myself that we set up the first Renew for the one. And that one was me! This was always about small numbers, ones, and twos. We used to say, still say, “It would be worth showing up if just one person was helped.” 

This economy of one is key to the simplicity of Renew spaces. I saw this topsy turvy success criteria first, in the story in the passage today. Jesus, it says, “had to go through Samaria.” I pause at that phrase. Most Jewish people would never go through Samaria. They would plan their journeys to go round it. Jesus did not “have to go through Samaria”. I’m sure there were more appropriate routes for a Jewish rabbi. But I believe the point is he had to go through Samaria for this one lady, this woman at the well.

He knows she will be at the well in the heat of the day, at a time when no other women would be there. He knows she would be going there alone at that time to avoid the gossip and the stares, he knows her isolation, so he must go through Samaria. 

He goes that way for the one. He risks his reputation for the one. He takes time out of a day for the one. 

And he treats her with such dignity. Notice he asks her to serve him. He goes with vulnerability not power, to receive not just give. He points out what he knows about her not to shame her, but to let her know he knows all about her and accepts her. He has come this way for her. She is the one. 

The result of that encounter is restoration into community. She rushes to the very people she had been avoiding, telling them about this one who had made her the one that he had singled out. 

Do you know that you are the one? I am the one. He comes through our Samaria, our place of isolation. He offers us living water. That means we too may have to go through someone else’s Samaria, sit at a well where someone else needs us to be present. Come vulnerably, come with acceptance, let others know they are the one he came for too. 

Reflect: Where is your well, the place in your life where you feel isolated, have isolated yourself? What are you hiding from others? 

Sit there with Jesus and let him see and know you. He already knows all about you and still chooses to be here with you. 

Offer him your gifts. Take the living water he offers you.

Who will you run to and talk about this kind saviour? Meditate on Psalm 68:6, “He puts the lonely in families.”

Prayer: God of wellbeing

At this well of longing

I offer you all that is me

And take from you 

All that you have won

Life that is free

This living water

That I cannot earn

I just receive 

I do believe 

God of wellbeing

I want to learn. 

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