Over a Cup of Tea Devotional

“SURPRISE!”

Excerpt from OVER A CUP OF TEA

Devotional by Karyn Brinkmeyer & Lisa Hubers

Philippians 4:11 “ Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted, in whatever state I am.”

EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE…! THAT’S what I felt as I traveled on Hwy I-74 in Illinois. Road construction caused me to go THROUGH the city rather than around the city (WHERE were my non-directionally challenged friends when I needed them?). This was before GPS. The Map Quest driving directions were now useless. Does “in whatever state I am” include Illinois?

Actually, I was right where Father wanted me to be. There were beautiful areas that I would have missed if I had been traveling around the city…I wasn’t late to any commitments…And the meetings went well… for God’s glory!

In John 4:3-26 Jesus is leaving Judea to return to Galilee. In verse 4, the scripture says that He “had to go” through Samaria. That was not the route most Jews traveled. The Jews felt the Samaritans, who were half Jewish, had betrayed their people through intermarriage with Gentiles. They hated the Samaritans. The scripture doesn’t say, but I wonder if Jesus heard complaints from His disciples. If so, it didn’t matter because Jesus knew He was on assignment. He simply went where His Father told Him to go—even if the place was uncomfortable. There was a Samaritan woman who, unknowingly, had an “appointment” with Jesus. He gave her Living Water and hope. The Bible also says many believed in Him from that Samaritan village. God had prepared the way, even if the way was unusual.

Every day we have opportunities to “look for opportunities” to share Jesus. Maybe “the way” seems unusual or doesn’t feel comfortable—like driving in unknown territory without your driving directions or GPS—But we can be assured that as we place our lives daily in His hands, He goes before us and prepares the way for whatever we will be facing. And yes, as Paul says, we CAN be content- no matter the state!

PRAYER: Father, I am so reminded of how many times the way that appeared “unusual” was exactly where You wanted me to be. Thank You for not allowing the fear of the unknown keep me from Your plan. Holy Spirit, keep prompting me to listen and look for Your moving.

What came to mind when reading this today? 

Father, what would you say to me today?

(What came to your thoughts? A Word? A Scripture? A “Knowing” of something?)

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