John 4:4-It was necessary for him to go through Samaria (AMP).
Ever find yourself in a place you never intended to be? Lately, Ron and I have been travelling though a not-so-great place.
In the last ten years, Ron has battled diabetes, Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL), had a triple by-pass, a valve repair, a hip replacement and more.
Were we tired of Samaria? You bet. Wondered why we were still in it? You bet.
Then one day our neighbour told us she had cancer.
“I’m okay with it, Ron. I’ve seen you stand through all these things. I know I can do it too.”
She started coming to church and now we prayerfully wait the day she asks Christ into her life.
Biblical-era Jews travelling from Judea to Galilee or vice-versa, would cross over the Jordan River, avoid Samaria by going through Transjordan, and cross back over the river again once they reached their destination. Nobody wanted to be in Samaria.
The Bible says that Jesus was there ‘by necessity.’ Why did he bother? He could have avoided it. It wasn’t a safe place for a Jew to be alone.
However, he found rest and refreshment there. (John 4:6-8). He enjoyed conversation (7), confrontation (9) and had a chance to witness (10-24).
As a result a woman chose to believe in Christ (25-26). She eventually told others about Jesus (29) and they also believed (40).
If we had balked, whined, complained and moaned about the hardships and difficulties of our less than safe place, I doubt that our neighbour would be looking for Jesus.
How is it going in your Samaria?
Prayer-Lord when we find ourselves in places we don’t want to be, remind us that you go before us and someone is waiting in our Samaria to hear about Jesus. Amen
Brenda J Wood
http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com
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Powerful, moving. And tremendously convicting. May God grant you both grace to continue and mercy to endure the Samaria you find yourselves in. Also praying for your friend. May God open her eyes and pour out His Spirit upon her and bathe her in love.