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What are you most radical about? Without a doubt, most people have something that causes passion, joy and excitement.  Living in Northeast Ohio (where the sun never shines, and it is always cold) has shown me just how passionate people can be about their sports teams.  Several years ago, the beloved Indians sold out 455 games in a row. If your passion is music, people know it. If your passion is sports, others know it. If your passion is Christ, it is obvious.  If you are old enough, you can probably remember the man who always took a prominent place at athletic events with a colorful afro and John 3:16 on a card. His tactics may have been too radical for you and me, but no one could doubt his passion.

This week I have pondered a lady from the Gospels that was, shall I say, radical. Now, I don’t believe that she stood in public places with multi-colored hair, but I do believe that her love for her Lord resulted in a demonstration that we would call radical and maybe even reckless.  Her name was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She was mentioned rarely in the Gospels. However, the depth of her love for Jesus in anointing Him with expensive perfume was chronicled in three Gospels and is remembered and discussed even today.

At dinner with Jesus, and several others, Mary took a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and broke it. Combining the gospel accounts indicates to us that she anointed His head and His feet.  She anointed and massaged His feet and even wiped them with her hair. Talk about radical; the perfume could have been sold for a year’s wages, and the money given to the poor. To top it off, letting down her hair publicly was something that Jewish women normally wouldn’t do. Loose hair was a sign of loose morals.  The disciples were indignant, and scolded her for what they saw as a wasteful act. But the Savior quickly came to her defense. His words of affirmation concluded with, “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Matthew 26:13)

Ridiculed by others, or affirmed by Jesus … which would you choose? I am afraid that all of us struggle with the acceptance of others, at the expense of being affirmed by Christ.  He may not call you and me to wear colorful afros in public, but He is calling us to be distinctive, and yes, even radical. Reading about Mary this week caused me to reflect on the Steve Green song, Broken and Spilled Out. The words from the first two stanzas reflect what should be the heart cry of every Christ-Follower.

One day a plain village woman
Driven by love for her Lord
Recklessly poured out a valuable essence
Disregarding the scorn
And once it was broken and spilled out
A fragrance filled all the room
Like a prisoner released from his shackles
Like a spirit set free from the tomb

Broken and spilled out
Just for love of you, Jesus
My most precious treasure
Lavished on thee
Broken and spilled out
And poured at your feet
In sweet abandon
Let me be spilled out and used up for Thee

None of us can live yesterday over. We can’t change missed opportunities (and we all have them). Living radically today may come at a cost.  You and I have to determine if the price is worth the affirmation of the Savior. I believe the answer is obvious.

I saw layers upon layers when I consumed yesterday’s reading (Matthew 25:14-30).  Just as every word that Jesus breathes possesses deep meaning, every story He tells has layers upon layers. 

In this story about bags of gold, I saw the truth of the uneven distribution of “wealth.”  This truth goes beyond the one we were all told as a child, that life isn’t fair.  This is the very real truth that God is not an “average” God.  There is no calculated sum of His “wealth,” and He does not divide it by the quotient of all souls for all time, to distribute it evenly among them.  Some are given more, period.  You or I might actually be one of them.  Some are given less, yes.  Does this story speak to us if we are one of those?

In this story about bags of gold, I also saw the fear of God.  Not the kind that is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), but the kind that is boldly illustrated in the servant who was given one bag.  In the narrative of that servant, I saw a view of God that I have possessed before, and would easily possess again, when I stray from walking in close communion with Him.  I saw an untrue and unhealthy type that is paralyzed by the fear that God will be angry if I lose even a “penny” of what He has given me.  And that fear goes far beyond “wealth” to the all-encompassing posture of cowering or hiding in the presence of a God I have just disappointed or failed.  Does this resonate in the past or present of your own life?  Do you see the first man and woman as the place where this thread that is common to all of us began?  Can you picture their hiding?  How about yours?

In this story about bags of gold, I saw that it is right and proper to place quotes around the “wealth” that Jesus uses as a central element in His parable.  In one very real sense, this story does speak to our stewardship of the material wealth which has been entrusted to us by the hand of our Creator.  I believe, however, this story about bags of gold speaks more so of the here and now, kingdom of God and the “wealth” that is our God-gifted talents and the Spirit within us.

Are we spending our wealth investing in the work of the kingdom … or are we hiding it?  Are we  crippled by the thought of being given less? Are we convinced that our portion is too small to be of any eternal good?  Are we fearful of failing the Master?

So much in so little.  This is true of this story, and so much more true of the potential we have with what we’ve been given, when we spend it in the work of the kingdom.  He is the one who does it, but He wants to do it with, and through us.  Whether 10 bags or 4, Jesus makes no distinction.  His answer to both servants (Matthew 25:21, 23) was exactly the same.  His rebuke and judgement was reserved for the servant who hid and returned only the original measure of his “wealth.”  What did you see in that story?  And what are you doing with the bag(s) of gold He has given you?

If you have heard of Maria Panteleyvna, I would be very surprised. She prayed for many years about a particular issue, and eventually it came to pass. Her prayer demonstrated to me the kind of faith that trusts God for the impossible. But more about her later! Earlier this evening, I received a call from a friend in another state who is determined to conquer an issue in his life. He is determined to have victory, but the lack of faith in himself was dwarfing His faith in Christ. You and I have had similar struggles, I’m sure, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our role is to trust Him by faith; and rest assured He knows when and how to act. Is your faith in yourself dwarfing your faith in Him?

My knowledge of Maria Panteleyvna is very limited. I don’t know much about her faith,other than she prayed for her son, and made him cakes at his birthday decorated with the words “Christ is Risen”. Oh, by the way she prayed that her son would bring down communism. His name happened to be Mikhail Gorbachev. Before you have cynical thoughts, ask yourself; “do I believe in a God that can do the impossible”? I don’t claim to have a handle on everything faith, or the fall of communism, but I know God desires that you and I live by faith. I wonder how many people have accepted Christ since the “Wall came Down”. Thanks for praying Maria! (Russia may be trying to rise again, but the God who loves all mankind has not changed.)

Centuries before the Iron Curtain collapsed; there were walls that kept the children of Israel from Canaan. They faced an impossible task, and God gave them instructions that would be humanly absurd in any century. You and I would have viewed the situation as hopeless. By faith they obeyed God, however. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). I wonder what it was like on the seventh day when the walls came down. God was not then, nor is He today limited by man’s ability. He simply wants us to live with eyes of faith that can see the impossible.

You probably have (as I do) some walls that will never come down, humanly speaking. You even speak eloquently of faith, while believing your walls are just too strong, even for God (oops, I shouldn’t say that). Do you believe that God can do the impossible? Are the walls of Jericho and the fall of communism just good history lessons? No! You have before you an opportunity to trust God by faith for your own walls to come down. Pray, and never stop believing that God can bring them down.

Ronald Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”  I choose to believe that behind all the walls that fall are lots of Maria’s praying. I also believe that God would be pleased if you and I would be simple enough to attack our walls by faith. Let the legacy of your life be “by faith …“, and may your walls come down!

Last week’s calendar informed all of us that spring had arrived.  However, I just don’t feel in the “spring mood” yet.  After a winter of frigid days and snow (and more snow), I am ready for some real “spring- like days”.  This morning our temperature was in the mid-twenties, and small particles of snow were drifting through the air. Depressing!  Our church service opened this morning with a pastor sharing that spring had arrived, but it was still snowing.  I can’t control the weather, and there are innumerable other areas of my life that are outside the parameters of my control. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I (and you) battle with wanting control, and try to make all of life fit the way I (you) perceive it should.  Why is it that we readily accept God’s sovereignty over life and weather, but we still want it sunny on a rainy day and seek to fix (and control) others and circumstances?  I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I trust words that encouraged my journey over the last week, will help you also.

About a year ago, a friend shared words with me from a wonderful book called Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.  At Journey onWord we are focusing this year on the words of Jesus, and this book gives great insight to how the author views Jesus relating to us. I gave it to my wife, Genel as a gift, and the more she talks about it, the more I keep reading it myself.

“Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously as you live in deep dependence on Me”.  (March 18)

“However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you. Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can strengthen you.”  (March 21)

Every one of us battles some fear; we also struggle to understand things that are out of our control. And in the process of trying to fix (and control) others and our circumstances, fear and understanding become even bigger issues.  We tend to fear what we can’t control.  And not understanding why situations happen, or why God allows certain trials, can cause intense emotions.  I personally find that my natural (and wrong) tendency is to fight my fears and figure out what I can’t understand.  In the course of this week, I was deeply challenged with Sarah Young’s words; “fear can block the flow of My Strength into you.” Could it be that we actually block what we want so deeply? For me, the answer was “yes!”

Note the answer to our struggle: “I will equip you to get through this day victoriously as you live in deep dependence on Me. When you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can strengthen you.”  Deep dependence and confident trust are very spiritual objectives.  When they go from objectives to spiritual realities, something amazing is going to happen.  As you look at these words, don’t think perfection, but direction.  Seek Him today with deep dependence and confident trust … and then tomorrow, and the next day.

I don’t understand why my friend’s wife got really sick this week, my wife’s aunt has devastating cancer, or why over 200 souls are unaccounted for from a Malaysian airliner. But you and I can live today with a trust in His Strength and Power.  And when we do, peace will come!  … and hopefully, spring will too!

Do you ever feel that words like faith, prayer and trust are great for church, but lose relevance in your daily routine? You may have accepted Christ as your Savior, but somehow your practice isn’t matching your position. For you, living by faith has become wishful thinking, and praying is more from obligation than from faith. You are not alone, and a look back through history would reveal that your struggle is probably more the norm, than the exception. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

In a great little book that I have read and re-read, Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkerson explains that all believers are destined for fruit. Our lives should bear witness (fruit) of a life change. Even so, there will be times when our passion and faith seem to weaken. Mr. Wilkerson, like you and I, went through a season where his passion and faith hit a crisis point. But he did something about it.

Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God, shares a story about a 19^th century pastor who saw God’s people discouraged, not living by faith and weak in prayer. Sound familiar?!

“George Mueller was a man who determined that God could meet his needs, and lived like it. Accept his journey as an example of what you can experience.  When Mueller felt God leading him to undertake a project, he prayed for the resources needed but told no one of the need. He wanted everyone to know that God had provided for the need in answer to prayer and faith, not in response to fund-raising. During his ministry in Bristol (England), he started the Scriptural Knowledge Institute for the distribution of Scripture and for religious education. He also established an orphanage.

By the time of his death, George Mueller had been used by God to build four orphanages that cared for two thousand children at time. In all, more than ten thousand children had been provided for through the orphanages he started. In addition, Mueller had distributed more than $8 million that had been given to him in direct answer to prayer. Yet when he died at ninety-three, his possessions were valued at only $800.”

Wow!  Mueller had a simple faith. He believed God would answer prayer. He obviously made the Father his first priority. Two centuries later Bruce Wilkerson also made a decision that God would be his first priority. And by the way, Wilkerson then wrote a book that literally helped encourage millions of people. You know it as The Prayer of Jabez which was published several years ago. What worked for Mueller and Wilkerson will work for you. The place of first priority is not where God fits into the lives of most Christ-followers. How about you? If you are in a season of weary faith and unanswered prayer, you can do something about it.

I can absolutely promise you … make Him your first priority and your life will change. God has poured the blessings of heaven on men like Mueller and Wilkerson down through the ages. He wants to do the same for you and me. But the choice is ours! Will He be our first priority, or just another part of our already crowded agenda?  Our Lord wants to answer your prayers, build your faith and give you joy. Don’t make Him a priority; make him your first priority!

It has happened to you, and it has happened to me.  Someone has tried to trap us with words. In a less than noble manner, there was intent to use our words against us.  Sad, but true!  And once it happens, there is a tendency to never fully trust the “trapper” again. This morning I was thinking about how the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus with words, and how masterfully He answered their question.  While thinking about His wisdom, I remembered a not-so-comfortable exchange that unsettled me thirty years ago.

My wife and I were working for a Christian organization in Florida, and the leaders left town for a seminar right after a potentially high-profile decision filtered to the press. That decision? … Our students weren’t allowed to attend a Michael Jackson concert in Miami.  He could moon walk all he wanted, just not with our students in attendance!  Somehow the decision leaked to the news media (did I mention that our leaders were away?!), and I got a call from a Canadian radio station. Before I could catch my breath, my words were in total “trapped mode” as we were viewed as  radical, ultra conservative … you name it. I was about 30 years old and no match for the masterful trapper.  Totally over-matched and being trapped with words was not fun.

When I look at how Jesus countered the trappers in Matthew 22:15-22, I am impressed with both His words and His wisdom. As you read the verses from The Message translation, note the trap, His wisdom, and His words.

That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 

Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece. “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?” They said, “Caesar.”

“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.” The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.

It was an unholy alliance that sought to trap Jesus. Disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians were not close; they were enemies. But in this specific circumstance they are aligning themselves to trap Jesus. The Pharisees opposed the poll tax. The Herodians were a political group who supported a Roman backed Herodian dynasty. Jesus was definitely trapped. The words, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” placed Him in a precarious position. Opposing the tax would place Him at odds with the Romans. Approving the tax would cause Him trouble with the Jews. He was trapped … a Catch 22 … a no-win situation!  With a stroke of genius He stated, “Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is His.” With great wisdom, His words silenced the two groups … and they went away confounded.

The real intent of the dialogue with Jesus was not to ascertain His view on paying taxes to Caesar. Their purpose was to trap, but Jesus masterfully and truthfully answered their loaded question. And in the process, gave us all a timeless, capital “T” Truth for our lives today. Christ-followers are to honor and obey the “Caesar’s” of their day (and that includes paying taxes). At the same time, our first allegiance is to God … and God alone. Wisdom responds vertically to our Father and horizontally to those in authority.

On a personal level, I am thrilled that God offers His followers wisdom (James 1:5). And reading the words of Jesus continues to supply me with that wisdom, and is my perfect portion of daily bread. You and I can navigate the traps by applying His wisdom and grace. Sure, we won’t do it perfectly, but we can respond to the “trapper” as He did.

Will you allow me one last personal insight from this passage?  Jesus dealt with the trap in a straight and forthright way. It is easy to ignore, avoid, or even retaliate when words are meant to trap us. Follow his example to be truthful, not tricky.  His wisdom speaks truth, and only confounds the heart and mind that chooses not to believe.

Have you ever gotten to the point where you cried out, “I’m at my wit’s end!” Those words have probably exited the lips of all of us. Sometimes our frustration comes from others, but often it comes from within. When our life hits a hard patch, it is good to know that we have someone who understands. However one of the difficulties we all endure is a willingness to share our real pain and frustration with anyone else. We often are embarrassed (what will they think of me?), and at other times there is a sense in our spirit that no one really understands or cares. In my reading this morning I was reminded afresh of the One who cares and understands. Later, I had the opportunity to reflect on the old hymn of the church, “No One Understands Like Jesus”.

As you read this article, honesty is necessary. My assumption is that we all have internal and external battles. Our “church masks” often cover the real battles we face. But the truth is that we all have moments of being at our wit’s end. In the inevitable seasons of temptation or trial, we can be our own worst enemy. We all need others to understand us, and give good counsel. It is wonderful to have others in our lives to share struggles with, but No One Understands Like Jesus.  Let me prove my point.

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our High Priest is Jesus, and He is fully God and fully man. He experienced the struggles of life just like we all do. In His life on earth, Jesus knew what it was to be tired, hungry and face intense temptation, yet without sin. I appreciate Warren Wiersbe’s counsel on these verses in his commentary: “After all, a sinless person would feel temptations and trials in a much greater way than you and I could ever feel them. Christ was tempted, yet He did not sin; and He is able to help us when we are tempted. If we fail to hold fast our confession, we are not proving that Jesus has failed. We are only telling the world that we failed to draw on His grace and mercy when it was freely available to us.”

We all know how frail we are, and what our wit’s end feels like. But in Christ, we don’t walk the journey alone. He sympathizes with us, and wants to help us. Remember, He understands. No matter what causes you to struggle, His desire is always the same: come to the throne of grace, receive His mercy and find grace to help. Let the last verse of an old anonymous poem sum up my thoughts.

Are you standing at Wit’s End Corner?
Then you’re just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not;
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved
But only at Wit’s End Corner
Is the “God who is able” proved.

When I read the words of Jesus, wisdom is easily found. Translating His wisdom to my reality isn’t always easy.  As we begin a new work week today, I am sure each of us would like our words and corresponding actions to be punctuated with wisdom. However, we have all experienced giving intellectual assent to wanting wisdom from above and then making decisions that are anything but from above. But this week can be different!

Just a few years ago I bought a new red vehicle based on its looks, my selfishness, and the smell of the interior. Now that was a thought out, prayerful decision to be sure. When the per-gallon price of gas rose, I was beyond disappointed at myself, and I ended up never truly enjoying the vehicle. I knew better, but made a bad choice. If you are like me, you want your faith to be shown by the wisdom you express each day. When we live from God’s perspective (wisdom), our actions will be appropriate, our words will be pleasing to Him, and our faith will be contagious. Sometimes in life, the challenges take center stage, and faith is relegated to backstage. But in Christ, wisdom for every challenge is available this week, and every week!

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Preparation for each day is a key in letting our faith be pleasing to the Father. There is a direct correlation between how I seek the Lord and how His wisdom is seen in me. The Psalmist shows us the desire we should all seek. When our words and hearts are pleasing to the Father, those around us will see a better picture of how faith works. How have you prepared today? Since daily challenges will never go away, sincere Christ-followers need to prepare their hearts to be pleasing to the Father, and continually ask for wisdom. We may not get all the answers we want, but He will give wisdom, and we can make right choices. If our hearts and words are pleasing in His sight, the words we speak will be punctuated with wisdom.

None of us are sure just how the opportunities of this week will be used by the Father. We can’t fix all of our yesterdays, but this is a new day. Someone will need what you and I have to offer.  As we prepare with a heart that is seeking the Father, our words and actions can have tremendous impact.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

We all have a red truck story. With each new day, however, we have the opportunity in Christ to show forth His wisdom. The daily challenges of this week will be opportunities to live out our faith with wisdom. You and I will be tempted to make earth-bound decisions, based on human rationale.  As Christ-followers, we have His wisdom available, and can live on purpose to let faith take center stage. We will never get another chance at today and this week. Therefore, let us be wise!

Can God be trusted to guide our lives? — Yes! Can we trust the Bible? — Absolutely! Do we believe that it has the answers for life’s questions? –Yes! Is accepting Christ as Savior the only way to heaven? –Absolutely! Does God answer prayer? – Yes! Can the Father give us joy on the journey? – Absolutely! These truths are almost like a creed that is easily recited. However, I am concerned that just like a creed, these foundational truths believed by all Christ-followers are easier recited than lived out.

A personal illustration may help. Although I know that He gives me joy for the journey, this week has been one where I have struggled with earthbound human logic. I am too busy (my fault), and I could easily pout and justify my reasons for doing it. Praying has not been a problem this week, but trusting has!  I have found myself discouraged rather than embracing what God is doing in my life. I have found myself grumpy when “my” plans didn’t fit as I wanted. Could it be because I wanted to lead my life and fit God’s design into my plans? You may have experienced similar weeks recently. I just noticed a bit too many I’s in this paragraph … and in this week.

Matthew 16:24-26 (MSG)
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

In retrospect, it’s clear to me that I have fought for the driver’s seat this week. I have worked at being spiritual, but with too much emphasis on I. Trying less and trusting more is a good option as (I) head into the weekend. Usually my spiritual thoughts don’t come from country songs, but today it’s time to embrace the title of Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

You will also have “I” weeks, but does your general pattern of life model the words of Christ? Most Christ followers would say, “I want Christ to lead me,” but we fight for the driver’s seat. When Christ leads, love, sacrifice, obedience and sometimes suffering will be the required. During those weeks (and sometimes seasons), when we are in the driver’s seat, love turns inward, sacrifice seems too radical, obedience is optional, and suffering is to be avoided at all costs. To live the truths we believe will take an intentional choice to let Christ be in the driver’s seat. And remember, He never struggles with directions!

Are you finding a struggle at the steering wheel? – Yes! Does God understand your struggle? – Absolutely! Can you have more joy by letting Christ lead? – Yes! Do you believe that you can trust Him? – Absolutely!  Are you willing to intentionally let Him lead? — _________!

At Journey onWord, we are not just about writing devotional posts, or words of challenge or encouragement.  We are here when you are struggling to fill in that blank. We are ready to come alongside you when you make a decision to fill in that blank.  Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out.  We are always ready to share the reason for our hope in Christ.

It is happening to me more and more these days.  As I am reading along in the Bible, somewhere in the midst of the narrative, I slip into the story.  I begin reading with a very clear sense that I am a flesh and blood person, sitting and reading words on a printed page.  But then somewhere along the way, I find myself standing amidst the scene.  I say this, not to draw attention to myself but rather, to offer some context as to why a particular question affected me so profoundly as I read this past Saturday.

It amounted to just a handful of verses.  It was a very familiar story.  Not simply because I have read it so many times before, but also because it seems like I just read it a few days ago … Jesus feeds thousands with some loaves and fishes.  If there had been newspapers during that time, readers might have done a double-take after reading such a headline.  “This must be a re-print.  I am sure I just read about this a few days ago.”  If they had stopped at the headline, their instinct or assumption would have betrayed them.  If they continued on to read the article, it would have been obvious that this was, in fact, a second miracle with significantly distinct details.  For instance, the crowd in this second miracle was Gentile, not Jewish, as was the case in the first.  On this occasion there were 4,000 men, the first was 5,000.  Seven loaves and some fish this time, five loaves and two fish the first.  This was not a re-print.  This was a second, intentional, miraculous feeding of thousands.

There is much that could be written about this miracle and its contrast to the first, but I am choosing to narrow the focus to one single question.  It’s a question that stopped me cold, has yet to leave me, and that I believe is profitable for us all to consider in a very personal way.  Remember my mention earlier of “slipping into the story?”  That absolutely happened to me with this one.  Somewhere in the first few words, I found myself standing as one of the disciples as Jesus calls them over and shares His desire to feed the crowd that has been following them.  And as Jesus begins to respond to their question, it was as if he turned directly to me and asked, “How many loaves do you have?”

I have likely read that question a hundred times, but it was never so profound and so personal as it was in reading it this time.  Rather than asking or instructing the disciples to find bread and bring it to Him, rather than someone in the crowd approaching Jesus and offering it, Jesus asks the disciples how many loaves they have.  We have heard it so many times before, but I wonder if we forget sometimes.  God has a plan, He is working out that plan, and He has the capacity to accomplish it all on His own.  But one of the great gifts He offers to us is the opportunity to be a part of what He is doing.  We can be His hands and His feet.  We can accomplish even greater things than Jesus did when He was here among us (John 14:12).

How many times do we see a need and pray for God to meet it?  How many times is our prayer unconsciously (or consciously) saying, “meet it with someone else’s loaves.”  The disciples essentially ask Jesus, “how are you going to feed them?”  To which Jesus responds, “how are you going to feed them?”

Jesus’ answer that day was to feed thousands with the seven loaves the disciples had, and then underscore His abundant capacity to give filled up and overflowing with a basket of scraps collected for each loaf.  There are many opinions as to the significance of the seven loaves and seven baskets, but what He showed me is that for every loaf we offer back to Him, He can abundantly meet a need with multiplied provisions left over.

In slipping into the story, I saw Jesus turn in my direction.  I believe He also turns in yours.  “How many loaves do you have?”  What will our answer be?