What have I learned in this past week: amazing, strengthening relationship with my Father? My Rock! My Fortress! My Salvation! My Creator! It is easy for us to develop relationships with others. What about when things go wrong? We can go to Worship and praise and pray to God with our lips. How does our heart fair when we walk out the doors of the building?
The following was taken from Matthew 14: What a day Jesus and His disciples had. John the Baptist was murdered. Jesus wanted to withdraw and it is normal for anyone who has lost family. Jesus started to withdraw until the crowds gathered around Him. I wondered what His thoughts were when He wanted to withdraw and possibly say a prayer. Yet, His compassion was on healing those who were sick.
Evening was drawing close and they were in a remote place. The disciples wanted the crowds to disperse, to get something to eat and Jesus said no. “Don’t send them away but you can feed them” He said. They replied all we have is five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took them and gave thanks and broke the bread to give to the people. This fed over 5,000 people.
While He was dismissing the crowds, Jesus sent his disciples in a boat to go to the other side. When Jesus was alone, He went onto the mountain side to pray. It would be nice to know the thoughts of His prayer. It wasn’t until the fourth watch, which is before dawn breaks that He began to walk on the water towards the disciples.
I want to take a break and bring all this into perspective. The disciples were in panic mode of excitement with the death of John. They ran to the savior to report all which was going on. Jesus wanted to withdraw. I don’t blame Him. If I loose a family member, I want to withdraw and reflect. Yet, God provides ways of not withdrawing, but reaching out to others who are in need. Sometimes, what we want is not necessarily in the game plan. Through helping others our pains tend to heal themselves. We have to take a step back out of the situation and dwell on something else.
Notice the comment that Jesus expressed to the disciples, “You feed them”. Jesus equips us with more than you can imagine. You just can’t allow stress to get in the way of what you have been blessed. The little can accomplish much. The little food did great things. The disciples gave what they had and Jesus made it work with what they had. Sometimes we begin to doubt when we only have the little and we see the stress of much to accomplish.
Finally, Jesus was left alone to pray. We have to realize, when we give, we have to replenish our souls. Often times we allow the stress to be the boss and dictate how to live. We may begin to focus on others and often forget to nourish ourselves. Jesus sent the crowds’ away and spent time in building the relationship with His Father.
Paul Harvey would say in his daily radio broadcast, “Now, the rest of the story.” Jesus came walking on the water and appeared to the disciples. You would think they would recognize the voice of Jesus. Yet, they were afraid because they thought it was a ghost. Peter being bold said, “Lord, if it is you command me to come to meet you on the water.” “Come.” Peter went and met Him, but the wind scared Peter and he began to sink. Jesus helped him up out of the water.
How does all this come to play with what I have learned this week? I must not react to situations which will take my focus off my relationship. Keep things into perspective. Focus on others and continue to help those in need. My Father is in control. To take what I have been blessed with and not to stress. My Father will take the little things and to His glory will multiply them to benefit others. If I profess faith, then I must be willing act on faith and be convicted in knowing He will allow it. I can’t allow outside forces take my focus off the relationship with my Father.
I must include others when my heart is in Gethsemane. When others pray there is a mustard strength of faith and an overwhelming peace. Be humble when problems exist and allow your Christian siblings to pray and to console you. I must build my faith. Activate my faith. Work in my faith. Proclaim my faith. Jesus will provide the rest and everything works out to the best.
No matter how bad the odds stack up against you. God does not forget who His children are. I’ve been through a lot but this time it has strengthened my faith in knowing, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Just keep the focus on Him. Don’t worry about the wind of troubles which seem to smell of terror. It is the rain of blessing which smell like He is coming. It's all water under the bridge. Think about it!
