The origins of the water well date back thousands of years, thought first to be used in farming. And then in settlements as the primary water source for all who lived nearby or who were travelling through. Young women collecting water from the wells for their families is a tradition that dates back to Gensis. Although most of us are more used to privilege of running wate in our homes, this is still the reality for many parts of the world today.  

Biblically, I see the well as a place of piratical provision and spiritual imagery. A place of relationships and restoration.  Many biblical marriages started by meetings while women were drawing water from the well. “Living water” is a promise given to us through Jesus when we believe in him. But also, we see God met with desperate women who have been profoundly hurt by the world at wells. In Genisis with Hagar, once while she was pregnant and once when her and Ishmael were sent away. And perhaps most famously in John when Jesus meets the Samaritan women at the well. There is so much to explore when it comes to women in the bible and “the well” felt like a good place to start. 

But really, why? 

For many years my heart has been calling out to see a change in church culture, a change in how we respond to the sexual violence of this broken world, how we can carry the light and hope of Jesus into such dark places. Unfortunately, sexual violence isn’t rare, globally 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual violence or physical violence from their intimate partners (as estimated by WHO, 2021). Here in England, it is reported that 1 in 4 women over the age of 16 have experienced rape or sexual assault (Rape Crisis England and Wales, 2022).  

In 2017 we saw an out pouring of stories of sexual abuse and violence during the #MeToo movement. In my experience during this time the church largely stayed silent. Maybe through shame, the church has its own history of sexual abuse scandals. Maybe through fear, it is a sensitive topic which has largely remand “taboo” in church teaching. Maybe through politics, or lack of knowledge, or simply that it is not joyful to talk about.  

But how many women (or girls over the age of 16) do you have in your church services? Is it more than 4? Well then, it’s likely that sexual assault and rape; horrific traumatic issues; are affecting your church family (our church family). No one wants to hear that it is happening within a family, or a marriage, or in the youth group; to people that you stand next to during worship. But it is, and how we respond is important. I believe in a God of Love and a God of Justice! Sometimes that response comes in the form of pastoral chats, pray ministry, places to cry and lament. And sometimes that comes from public apologise and awareness, biblical teaching and standing against abuse. That’s not to say none of this is not already happing, but to question if we are really doing enough as the church? 

So welcome to my ramblings, stories of women of the bible who God saw when the world didn’t. And why those stories are so important today!