It is always a joy to receive a visit from Maeve Whitchurch on what was a very hot afternoon. Sadly we were low in numbers but we were refreshed by Maeve’s message as she brought a lovely word from John 4 about Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well.

For the woman, it was just an ordinary day. She came to the well at the hottest part of the day to avoid people and to draw water but she found someone there.  Was it an inconvenience for her? Was she afraid? Did she feel vulnerable? Quite possibly! Maeve encouraged us to think about whether godly things can become an inconvenience at times and what can tip the balance! The meeting with Jesus changed her life though she wouldn’t have realised it at the time. (Read the full story in John 4 v 1-26.)

Do we expect an encounter with Jesus to disrupt our day? Do we take time out to listen, really listen, to stop talking and just be still? Jesus wants to talk to us! What is He saying to you?

Maeve read slowly some lovely scriptures for us to allow the words to sink into our minds and hearts culminating with that beautiful verse in Zephaniah 3 v 17 – “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save . He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Lord, help us to be prepared just to sit and have a moment with you or even to stop and listen to the birds singing!

Maeve will also be speaking at our church service at Woodingdean Primary School at 10.30am on Sunday 31st May.