Ah, The 17th floor! I was practically buzzing with excitement as I made my way to my room. There's something about the view from up high that makes me happy, and here I was, in San Antonio for a pastor's wives retreat, ready to soak it all in. No early wake-up calls, carpooling, or meal prep—just time for refreshing. And to top it off, I got a room on the 17th floor with a view.
As I stepped out of the elevator, my spirit dampened. The elevator opened up, and my room was right across from it. Conveniently placed right by my room was the ice machine for the entire floor. I knew the noise from the elevator's arrival, the chatter of fellow guests, and the clatter of dispensing ice would quickly punctuate the air. It was hardly the peaceful retreat I had envisioned.
Despite my initial disappointment, I decided to grin and bear it, wanting to avoid coming across as high-maintenance. But little did I know this inconvenience would lead to a profound realization later.
As the day wore on, I found myself parched and needing water, only to discover that my room was missing the promised complimentary supply. Down 17 floors, I went, trekking to the lobby to request water. The concierge was helpful, promising to send some up, but in the meantime, I settled for some fruit-infused water they had available.
To my surprise, the complimentary water never arrived. So, I made repeated trips up and
down the floors for the rest of the day to quench my thirst. It wasn't until the following
afternoon, during a brief break from the retreat sessions, that I stumbled upon a revelation.
As I stepped out of the elevator, I saw an unusual sight at the ice machine. To my
amazement, it wasn't just an ice dispenser; it also had buttons for crushed ice and water. It dawned on me then that what I had deemed as an inconvenience was, in fact, a hidden blessing right outside my door.
Reflecting on this experience, I couldn't help but draw parallels to life's inconveniences. Often, what we perceive as disruptions or obstacles may actually be opportunities in disguise. It's all a matter of perspective.
In my journey with God, I've learned that the most inconvenient situations often hold the
greatest blessings. But to recognize them, we need to cultivate spiritual perception—an
ability to see beyond the surface with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In the story of Jesus's encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John Chapter
Four, we see something similar. Despite her initial reluctance, she eventually realizes the
magnitude of who she's speaking to and the gift he offers. It took a shift in perspective for
her to see beyond the inconvenience of their encounter and embrace the blessing it held—a
blessing that impacted her life and changed her community.
Similarly, in our lives, we're called to look beyond the surface and discern God's hand at work, even amid inconvenience. Whether it's a sudden change of plans, an unexpected
interruption, or a seemingly mundane task, there's always an opportunity for God to reveal
His goodness.
So, the next time life throws you a curveball, why not pause and seek God's perspective
instead of grumbling or resisting? You might uncover a hidden blessing amidst the inconvenience—a reminder that God is always at work, weaving beauty into the fabric of
our lives.
Let's remember that the most trying inconveniences often conceal the greatest blessings.
With the Holy Spirit guiding us, giving us his perspective, may we learn to embrace life's
interruptions with open hearts, knowing that God is always working for our good and His
glory.
Here are a few takeaways:
Seek God's perspective and view your circumstances through the eyes of faith.
As 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us, "For we live by faith, not by sight." In essence, we must strive to see things as God sees them. When we look at our inconveniences through the lens of faith or from God's viewpoint, we uncover ministry opportunities and discover answers to prayers we've longed for.
Be flexible, regularly surrendering
your plans to the Lord in prayer.
Proverbs 16:3 advises us, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." By entrusting our plans to Christ, we create space for Him to lead us in our schedules. As we yield to His guidance, we become more adaptable to changes and graciously accept whatever interruptions come our way.
Practice gratitude.
Gratitude plays a pivotal role in our outlook on life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Expressing gratitude in every situation shifts our attitudes from grumbling (aka grouchitude) to gratitude. When we're caught up in negativity, we easily overlook the blessings hidden within inconveniences. However, a heart filled with gratitude enables us to see the silver lining even in the darkest
clouds.
It's essential to recognize that the most frustrating inconveniences often conceal the
greatest blessings. Developing spiritual perception allows us to discern these blessings
amidst the chaos. So, as we navigate life's interruptions and disruptions, let's remember that they may be masking something genuinely remarkable.
When you spoke about Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman, Bomi, tears welled up in my eyes. Recently, during dinner with a friend, she revealed her decision to walk closely with the Lord. I pictured my friend at the Well, drinking from the living water, finding joy in Jesus, our ultimate source. Your blog post touched me deeply. Thank you for sharing.