5th century mosaic discovered near the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee
In John’s account of the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sees a great multitude and asks His disciples a question, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Was Jesus taken by surprise by the large crowd? Was He dumbfounded as to what to do? Perhaps he was trying to inspire the disciples to come up with a plan to work together with Him? No. Jesus actually said this “to test them, for He Himself knew what He would do.”
There have been, and currently are, many overwhelming and impossible situations in my life. I must admit that I usually find myself first seeking a human or logical solution to these issues. My natural inclination is to find a physical resource that will meet this need or solve this problem. Does that mean God doesn’t use physical resources to meet physical needs? No, of course He does. He used bread to meet the physical needs of the 5000.
What Jesus does when we trust Him is to do things beyond our imagination. I can’t organize Him, or strategize the way that He is going to work in my situation. I can’t limit Jesus with my own plans. I can only come to Him with my lack, my weakness, and my inability. Jesus can and wants to fill us, strengthen us, and do all that He wants in and through us. If He went to the cross to redeem us, how much more willing do you think He is take care of “impossible” things in our lives?
Be encouraged. Jesus has a plan when we don’t. Jesus knows our frailty, and just smiles and forgives us for giving Him advice. Perhaps you are going through a time of testing, as I am. Jesus knows what He is going to do. It doesn’t make the path we are on any easier, but perhaps it does make it a little more bearable. We are not alone, and our simple work that we must do is to believe on Jesus. Let’s labor for that today!
Distant Fields 