Doing Whatever is Necessary
Would you believe that doing whatever necessary for us once meant freezing eggs? Yep, when it was necessary, we froze eggs.
In our early days of ministry, the economy was similar to 2011. Life was uncertain. Gasoline prices spiked. People traded large vehicles for small cars. Most people who also lived on campus did whatever they could to provide for them, and to save and conserve. My creative husband went to the chicken farm nearby and bought eggs – lots of eggs! We learned that scrambled up eggs could be frozen and used later, so we packaged them in lots of two for cooking or baking, and larger packages for morning breakfasts. It was a lot of busy work yet somehow we felt good doing whatever was necessary to facilitate our new life in ministry.
What challenges do you face because you “were led” of God to where you are now?
John 4:4 says Jesus was led to Samaria. It was a necessity brought on Him because He followed God. This was required because His journey was a journey ordained of God.
What was this place like where Jesus was led? “Many people in Samaria were open enemies of God: they did anything in their power to annoy the Jews, and felt their temple was much superior to the one in Jerusalem. They considered their possessions superior in every way. They embraced Jews only if/when it profited them. The old enmity between north and south no doubt intensified the quarrel, and the antagonism of Jew and Samaritan was bitter. The Samaritans set themselves, with great temporary success, to frustrate the work in which they were not permitted to share, see Ez. 4:4 and Neh. 4:7. It was an atmosphere where malcontents were free to express themselves. When Jesus told of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30, he illustrated that His love wipes out artificial boundaries of prejudice and hatred.” [Information from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, online.]
Following God meant being uncomfortable. It means living in an unfamiliar place, and accepting our situation because you know following God put you there!
Are you among malcontents? Do not fall into that trap. Identify your frustrations: is this a spiritual battle? Try to view your life and its challenges from Jesus’ perspective – and find creative ways to overcome artificial boundaries of depression, sadness, prejudice, hatred… whatever assaults you!
Jesus loved the Samaritan woman at the well, and considered her as worthy and valuable. He knew her deepest need and used her circumstances to minister to her.
What is He doing to help you see your need, and meet you with Love? Thank God for the challenge of ministry, and ask Him for a willingness to do whatever is necessary.
Written by Anita Onarecker Wood – She serves on the women’s leadership team for Southern Baptist’s of Texas Convention and is a popular speaker at retreats, special events and loves teaching Bible Study classes!