When you embark on a vacation, you expect total fun and relaxation. That was not the case on a recent family vacation. We had every intention to get an early start on our drive south to the beach. We were up early. I began packing the car. As I put the last suitcase in and shut the door, I realized I had locked the keys in the trunk. Since it was a rental car, I knew immediately our departure would be delayed.

Two hours later, we finally departed. The minute we got on I-95, it was gridlocked. After 20 minutes on the road, my grand baby announced she had to go the bathroom.  By this time, I was questioning if God meant for us to take this trip and if there was some reason we should remain home.

For the next four hours, we experienced traffic gridlock, frequent bathroom stops, and two incidents of my grand baby getting car sick. By this time, I had a headache and was asking God, WHY this was happening and what was the lesson I needed to learn?

My saving grace was my brother who continued to text me throughout the journey, offering words of encouragement as I relayed the events of the trip. He would not allow me to turn back, and urged me to keep pushing through. So 8 ½ hours later, on a journey that should have taken 5 hours, we reached our destination, weary but relieved the journey was over.

I reflected back on my devotional the previous day which was James 1:2-4, (MSG)

‘Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way.’

AH HA!! Mystery solved. God was giving me a life application moment. I can’t say I experienced joy, but I was glad I pushed through the journey.

The next time God takes you through one of life’s many trials, push through it! Better things await you at the other end and hopefully there is someone on the other side providing encouragement and rooting for you to pull through!

 

A few weeks ago, my pastor delivered a sermon on John 4:4-30. This is the passage where Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. During that time, the Samaritans were regarded by the Jews as ‘low life’. A Jew would never be seen talking to a Samaritan. Rather than traveling through Samaria, the Jews would take the long way around to get to their destination to avoid encountering any Samaritans. So, for Jesus to go through Samaria and have an encounter with a Samaritan was considered scandalous.

Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well who had come to draw water. Jesus not only engaged the woman in conversation, but proceeded to tell her about her adulterous lifestyle. He explained that He could provide her ‘living water’ so she would never thirst again. During the course of the conversation, he revealed that He was the Messiah.

There are some important observations about this story that provide insight into Jesus’ character.

1. Jesus knew everything about her sullied lifestyle, but continued to engage with her;
2. Jesus didn’t care that she led a sinful life. He offered her the same love –‘living water’ that was being offered to the Jews and all that chose to follow Him;
3. The Samaritan woman wasn’t offended by the things Jesus said about her. Instead, she remained open to what He had to offer her;
4. In her excitement, she left her water jug at the well and left to tell the towns people about her encounter with Jesus;

We all have a story, and none of us have led a perfect life.  Jesus knows every nook and cranny of our life, and in spite of that, He still loves us.  He is not here to condemn us; only to forgive us. We need to be open to receive his forgiveness, love and blessings.  Once you’re able to do this, you’ll no longer need that water jug.  Jesus will provide for your every need.

What are you holding onto and what is stopping you from reaching out to Him?