How Did We End Up Here?

Friday, September 25th

Take a moment and read Matthew 14:15-21- 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Five loaves and two fishes in my hands is just a lunch for me and one other person. Five loaves and two fishes in the hands of Jesus feeds thousands. How have you seen what is small in life and been limited because you only see it in your hands? What would happen if you shift your view to see what you have to offer in the hands of Jesus?

Or maybe as Pastor Bill said that most people live a much smaller version of the story God has for their lives -- what fears, habits, or hang-ups might be keeping you from stepping into the fuller story God is calling you toward?

Because as I reflected on how a series of broken decisions and pain led me to where I am today. Not stuck in my pain and brokenness but working through that to be here at New Life since the inception, and pastoring here for 20 years.

I’m reminded of Paul’s message to the Corinthians about something that he battled, never resolved, but continued on the faith. Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-10- 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

How have your own failures or difficult seasons ultimately redirected you toward something God was preparing for you?

Take a moment and offer up this prayer …. Father, thank you for your faithfulness -- to us individually, and to this community. Thank you that you run toward us before we even reach the door. Give us the courage to pause, to reflect honestly, and to respond to wherever your Spirit is leading. Help us to be people who walk faithfully with you, who extend grace freely, and who are willing to fly when you call us. In Jesus' name, amen.