Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes, sends the disciples ahead, dismisses the crowds and sought some alone time to pray. I can identify with that. After a long hard day, some alone time is needed. I tell my husband I am going to sit in my chair and “recharge my batteries” for a half hour. Meanwhile the disciples are rowing across the Sea of Galilee in a storm. Their hard day was followed by a hard night. We pray with Tevya, “I know we are the chosen people but sometimes I wish you would choose someone else!!!”
We all know those awful times when our resources seem depleted. Amazingly Jesus comes walking on water. Now that is a weird miracle. He joined them in the trauma. He brings his presence before any solution. His words ring in our hearts, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The ghost is really Jesus. Sometimes we are blinded by our fears and don’t even recognize God’s presence! Interestingly the outspoken disciple, Peter, thinks outside the box to test reality. “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” What was Peter thinking? Perhaps he was thinking he did not need a friend, he needed the impossible. Faith believes in a God who is working outside the box, doing the impossible, to resolve a situation for everyone involved and probably on a timeline that is different than ours. Crisis and fear shrink our imagination and challenge our ability to see God’s hand in our situation.
How many miracles are there in this scenario. Jesus appears right at the needed moment as he knows what is happening. Even though unrecognized, he reaches out to assure his disciples. He invites Peter into the impossible and rescues him without reprimand. Even baby steps are ok. And then he calms the storm. Jesus, standing outside the box of drama, reaches in to strengthen Peter’s faith and the disciples’ faith and to deal with the problem.
Sometimes in the midst of crisis, we need to draw aside to “recharge our batteries.” Faith affirms that Jesus is present if unseen or unrecognized or in the midst of the impossible. Let us not become demanding of one solution that God must do. Whatever you are facing today, may you have eyes to see our unseen Savior working. Let’s use our imaginations. Blessings.
Thinking Outside the Box
Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes, sends the disciples ahead, dismisses the crowds and sought some alone time to pray. I can identify with that. After a long hard day, some alone time is needed. I tell my husband I am going to sit in my chair and “recharge my batteries” for a half hour. Meanwhile the disciples are rowing across the Sea of Galilee in a storm. Their hard day was followed by a hard night. We pray with Tevya, “I know we are the chosen people but sometimes I wish you would choose someone else!!!”
We all know those awful times when our resources seem depleted. Amazingly Jesus comes walking on water. Now that is a weird miracle. He joined them in the trauma. He brings his presence before any solution. His words ring in our hearts, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The ghost is really Jesus. Sometimes we are blinded by our fears and don’t even recognize God’s presence! Interestingly the outspoken disciple, Peter, thinks outside the box to test reality. “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” What was Peter thinking? Perhaps he was thinking he did not need a friend, he needed the impossible. Faith believes in a God who is working outside the box, doing the impossible, to resolve a situation for everyone involved and probably on a timeline that is different than ours. Crisis and fear shrink our imagination and challenge our ability to see God’s hand in our situation.
How many miracles are there in this scenario. Jesus appears right at the needed moment as he knows what is happening. Even though unrecognized, he reaches out to assure his disciples. He invites Peter into the impossible and rescues him without reprimand. Even baby steps are ok. And then he calms the storm. Jesus, standing outside the box of drama, reaches in to strengthen Peter’s faith and the disciples’ faith and to deal with the problem.
Sometimes in the midst of crisis, we need to draw aside to “recharge our batteries.” Faith affirms that Jesus is present if unseen or unrecognized or in the midst of the impossible. Let us not become demanding of one solution that God must do. Whatever you are facing today, may you have eyes to see our unseen Savior working. Let’s use our imaginations. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 