May 27th, 2026
by Pastor Michael Goins
by Pastor Michael Goins
Inconveniently Faithful
Scripture: John 4:4–6
Devotional:
Most Jews deliberately avoided Samaria, taking the long route around. But the Gospel of John says Jesus “had to go” through it, not geographically, but by divine appointment. There, at midday, He stopped at a well and struck up a conversation with a woman whom society had marginalized and ostracized. Divorced five times, living with a man outside of marriage, she came to draw water alone at noon when others would not be there. Jesus met her at her loneliest moment and offered her living water. From this encounter, from this pause in Jesus’ day, she became the first recorded evangelist of the New Testament. She ran telling an entire city, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.”
Ministry rarely fits neatly into our Apple calendars. The Spirit's nudges often come when we're tired, busy, or moving in the opposite direction. Jesus was exhausted from His journey. The disciples had gone to buy food. It was the least convenient time for a ministry moment. He sat down anyway.
The woman at the well wasn't looking for a theological conversation, she was looking for water. But Jesus met her where she was, asked a simple question, and let the Spirit carry the conversation deeper. He didn't lecture her or condemn her, He revealed His knowledge of her life and offered her something better. The most powerful evangelism often begins with the simplest of openings by asking a question, noticing a need and being present.
You never know who is carrying five failed relationships, five broken dreams, five reasons they have given up on God. You may just find them waiting at a “well” alone, at the most inconvenient time. Holy Spirit “has to bring” you through their Samaria. Will you stop when He does?
This my friends is being inconveniently faithful to Spirit’s nudges.
When your plans are interrupted by a person today (a slow cashier, an unexpected conversation, the homeless on the corner) treat it as a potential divine appointment. Be fully present. Ask one genuine question about how they are doing. Let them know they are seen and loved.
Reflection:
When has God placed a divine appointment in an inconvenient moment? How did you respond?
Scripture: John 4:4–6
Devotional:
Most Jews deliberately avoided Samaria, taking the long route around. But the Gospel of John says Jesus “had to go” through it, not geographically, but by divine appointment. There, at midday, He stopped at a well and struck up a conversation with a woman whom society had marginalized and ostracized. Divorced five times, living with a man outside of marriage, she came to draw water alone at noon when others would not be there. Jesus met her at her loneliest moment and offered her living water. From this encounter, from this pause in Jesus’ day, she became the first recorded evangelist of the New Testament. She ran telling an entire city, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.”
Ministry rarely fits neatly into our Apple calendars. The Spirit's nudges often come when we're tired, busy, or moving in the opposite direction. Jesus was exhausted from His journey. The disciples had gone to buy food. It was the least convenient time for a ministry moment. He sat down anyway.
The woman at the well wasn't looking for a theological conversation, she was looking for water. But Jesus met her where she was, asked a simple question, and let the Spirit carry the conversation deeper. He didn't lecture her or condemn her, He revealed His knowledge of her life and offered her something better. The most powerful evangelism often begins with the simplest of openings by asking a question, noticing a need and being present.
You never know who is carrying five failed relationships, five broken dreams, five reasons they have given up on God. You may just find them waiting at a “well” alone, at the most inconvenient time. Holy Spirit “has to bring” you through their Samaria. Will you stop when He does?
This my friends is being inconveniently faithful to Spirit’s nudges.
When your plans are interrupted by a person today (a slow cashier, an unexpected conversation, the homeless on the corner) treat it as a potential divine appointment. Be fully present. Ask one genuine question about how they are doing. Let them know they are seen and loved.
Reflection:
When has God placed a divine appointment in an inconvenient moment? How did you respond?
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