Finding Grace at the Well

When I first heard Olivia Lane’s song "The Woman at the Well," I was struck by its powerful depiction of a woman weighed down by shame, longing for love and redemption. It tells the story of a broken-hearted soul who meets the Savior at her lowest point, finding grace in the unlikeliest of places. As I listened, I couldn’t help but connect my own experiences to her poignant lyrics, especially the moments when I felt just as lost as the woman at the well. All "broken" may look differently, but it's still the same—broken. 

A Familiar Struggle

In the song, the woman reflects on her struggles and doubts, wondering how someone could love her when she couldn’t even love herself. This is a feeling I know all too well. In my own poem, "Help Me for I Have Sinned," I explore the depths of despair, where the lies of the enemy echo loudly, drowning out the whisper of hope:

"Help Me, for I Have Sinned"

Trapped beneath the hell of evil

With no way to get out

The demons of destruction surround her now

With no one to hear her shout

The God of long and far ago

Has sunken far below

Now the hunger of the devil

Has gotten her control

It started plain and simple

For she was innocent and afraid

One small girl in one big world

With only her innocence to trade

Her strength was pressured from all around

She knew it was the only way

Until all but suicide did surround

And no one could hear her say…

"Help me now, for I am bound

The evil has trapped me in

The demons of death are circling round –

Help me, for I have sinned!'

The Accusation of the Enemy

Satan thrives in our moments of weakness, hurling accusations and reminding us of our failures. He attempts to convince us that we are defined by our sins, and that God’s grace cannot possibly reach us. In those moments when my true feelings came out through my poetry growing up, I revealed the depths of my struggle. I accepted those lies for far too long, allowing them to cloud my perception of who I was and, more importantly, who I truly am in Christ.

Legalism can often compound this struggle, presenting a false narrative that we must earn God’s love through our actions. It fosters an environment where we feel we can never measure up, driving us deeper into shame. In this pursuit, we often detach from who we truly are, putting on masks of “do’s” to create the illusion of worthiness. We think that if we can just check off the right boxes—serving, giving, performing—we’ll finally feel accepted or prove to God enough how much we love Him. But this is merely a façade.

If our motivation is to earn God’s love or prove our worth, that itself is a deception. The enemy exposes the truth of who we are underneath those masks and attacks us to break us down, whispering that we’re not “good enough” for God’s grace. The truth is that our performance will always fall short. But Romans 5:20 reminds us that "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." This powerful truth is what transformed my perspective, allowing me to understand that my worth is not defined by what I do, but by the unconditional love of a Savior who meets me in my brokenness.

The Living Water

Like the woman at the well, I discovered that God is not deterred by our past. He offers us living water, a chance to start anew. In the song, Olivia sings of that moment of encounter when the Savior turns her wine to living water and teaches her how to love again. This reflects the beautiful reality that God sees beyond our sin and the real us beneath the mask. He sees our potential, our heart, and the beauty we possess as His creation.

As I penned my poem, I found myself yearning for that very transformation. I cried out for help, recognizing that my battle was not just with the lies of the enemy but also with my own perception of self-worth, shaped by believing those lies. Like the woman at the well, I needed to understand that God wants me as I am, not as I think I should be or as I strive so hard to become. This revelation is nothing short of miraculous.

The Power of Grace

In our moments of doubt, we must remember the grace that envelops us. It’s a grace that doesn’t dismiss our sins but rather acknowledges them, offering us forgiveness and restoration. It’s an amazing grace, indeed—one that invites us to come as we are and be transformed by His love.

In the midst of shame, I found solace in knowing that I am not defined by my past but rather by the love of a Savior who meets me at the well. God rejects the accusations of the enemy, and so must we. We are more than our failures; we are vessels of His grace.

Conclusion

So, if you ever find yourself feeling like the woman at the well or lost in the shadows of your own accusations, remember this: God’s love is greater than any sin. Legalism can lead us to act righteously on the outside while detaching from the truth of our own hearts, but His grace is waiting for you with open arms. Let your heart echo the truth that you are cherished and beloved just as you are. You don’t need to wear masks or strive for perfection; you simply need to embrace the unconditional love He offers. I continue to remind myself of this truth, too, as I continue on my own journey of grace.