With a Subtitle: Scripture reminds us that Jesus often leads us through difficult places for our spiritual growth.
A brief Excerpt: John 4:4 shows that Jesus does not waste hard paths. God often uses uncomfortable places to grow our faith, remove our blinders, and teach us to trust Him more deeply.
Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 4:4, “But He needed to go through Samaria.”
Background
It’s good for them. That’s why we make our kids eat vegetables, brush their teeth, get plenty of sleep, and limit their time watching television. All these things that they fight us on, we know as parents that our children need to have. Even disappointment and struggles. The wise parent doesn’t grant his child’s every wish, nor fix all of his problems. We understand that they need these experiences to mature. But when we think about our own lives as maturing Christians, we don’t always sing the same tune, do we? Now we are the ones who complain and struggle against the inconveniences of the day. We seem to lose sight of all there is left for us to learn as we grumble about rude people in a store or lose our patience while waiting an extra hour for a repairman. We don’t consider these “vegetables” as required for our growth. We prefer the path of least resistance. We accept the role of guiding our children and ensuring their proper development, but we can’t see beyond ourselves when God uses the different parts of our day to do the same to us.
Application
How else would God work in my life to remove the blinders and clutter and allow me to see His way? Miraculous intervention? Perhaps. But more likely, He will send us what should be changing us. Those Samarias that you dislike, you need to go through them. Somewhere in there, God will tell you all that you need to be transformed into His likeness. Just like it did for the woman at the well, it can all make sense if you believe that Jesus knows what you need. If you trust Him that way. Whatever you’ve been through, Jesus had a purpose. Maybe it was just to ask you to keep believing. Sometimes that is the hardest part. But can we get anywhere without it? Whatever you keep struggling with now, believe that Jesus has a plan. Believe it’s what you need. Don’t go around it. Go through it with Him.
Charge
As we seek Him today, trust that Jesus knows what He’s doing. Live today like you know He’s in control.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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