Waiting for Directions
Scripture – Luke 9:13-17: They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14(About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Reflection: When faced with a task that seems overwhelming, my natural tendency is to look at the limits I have – to focus on what I don’t have. The apostles’ response to Jesus was, “We have only….”
Jesus didn’t even address their doubts. He gave them simple, step-at-a-time directions. Have them sit down. Pass out the food. Pick up what’s left over. Those were things they could do and they did them. Jesus took care of everything else.
I have often said – and I continue to believe – if Christ calls me/us to a task, He’ll provide all we need to accomplish it. If I just forge ahead on my own with what I think is a good idea, then it’s on me to provide funding, food or whatever is needed. That’s when I get in trouble. That’s when I get stressed out. That’s when I lose focus. The key is to let Christ lead – to listen for His directions and follow them.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, March 15 – Luke 9:18-22: 18Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Reflection: When faced with a task that seems overwhelming, my natural tendency is to look at the limits I have – to focus on what I don’t have. The apostles’ response to Jesus was, “We have only….”
Jesus didn’t even address their doubts. He gave them simple, step-at-a-time directions. Have them sit down. Pass out the food. Pick up what’s left over. Those were things they could do and they did them. Jesus took care of everything else.
I have often said – and I continue to believe – if Christ calls me/us to a task, He’ll provide all we need to accomplish it. If I just forge ahead on my own with what I think is a good idea, then it’s on me to provide funding, food or whatever is needed. That’s when I get in trouble. That’s when I get stressed out. That’s when I lose focus. The key is to let Christ lead – to listen for His directions and follow them.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, March 15 – Luke 9:18-22: 18Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home