Bread & Fish

Maybe you're thinking, "I've heard this story a thousand times!"

Consider this thought about the baskets of leftovers; where were those 12 baskets before the meal?

Jesus had a great following because of the eye-opening miracles and the ear-penetrating parables He told throughout the region. It was getting late in the day and one of the disciples suggested that Jesus send the crowd away.

Wouldn't you, if you were Jesus, have wanted to say something like, "Don't you realize these people are following me because I'm like a Rock Star?!!!"

So, one of the guys brought 5 small loaves and 2 small fish; a little boy's lunch. Surely some of those in the crowd had decided to follow Jesus wherever He went that day and packed their own meal; perhaps, a picnic for the whole family. Why didn't the disciples retrieve their lunches as well?

So, where did those 12 baskets come from? Were there some selfish attendees holding tightly to their baskets? Did they not want to nominate themselves as Jesus's 'volunteer of the day?' Was personal comfort more important than risking a moment of hunger?

Aren't we a lot like the people in the crowd? We want to see the show without paying the price of admission? After all, who doesn't like free? Yet, that's exactly what Jesus calls us to do; pay the price of admission!

Choosing to freely loosen your grip on what you consider to be most valuable in life is much more rewarding than God prying it from your hands! While Christ has paid the ultimate price for our admission, He has called us to a life of sacrifice and generosity.

Walking on Water

Have you ever walked on water?

I didn't think so. Me neither!

Many of us have heard the story of Peter walking on the water. The one where Peter abandons the security of the boat being rocked by the waves to risk walking with Jesus in the middle of the storm (Matthew 14).

This story often reminds me of the risk vs. reward paradigm we encounter with pivotal decisions we face in life; decisions regarding family, education, career, retirement and the like.

It's so easy to snuggle up close to the comfort and convenience of what we know rather than the risk and complexity of the unknown.

Years ago I began praying this phrase that I hoped (and still do) would become the epitome of my faith; "Lord help me to be who you want me to be, do what you want me to do, and go where you want me to go."

The real struggle has been not to limit or insinuate God's intent for my being, doing, and going. God has never scripted a 5- or 10-year plan for my life. He has simply called me to walk by faith. He hasn't given me a highlighted map of my journey. He's only pointed me in the direction of the next step; out of the boat.

Stepping out of the boat requires (1) trust, (2) hope, (3) peace. Trust is releasing all control into the hands of a sovereign God. Hope is placing great confidence in a victorious Warrior. Peace is finding calm assurance in a faithful Savior.

These lyrics have become a mantra for refueling my faith:
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
(Hillsong United - "Oceans")

While life may be easier, more comfortable, or seem more secure by staying in the boat, God is wanting to stretch our faith and confidence in Him. The greatest life worth living requires stepping out of the boat onto the surface of life's ocean calling on His name, coming to Him, and clinging to His outstretched hand. Lord, I trust you because "You've never failed and you won't start now!"

Keeping Score

My son is playing soccer but since he's in the youngest age division we aren't supposed to keep score. Yet I can't help but press the button on the scoreboard of my mind every time they score a goal. There just seems to be something intrinsic about tallying the score.

Each time my son's team scores I find myself celebrating inwardly or aloud, high-fiving the players and telling them "Good job!" And every time the opposing team scores I find myself becoming enraged at their lack of defense and intensity.

Then I'm forced to remember, "They're four!"

It's so easy to keep score in the daily routines of our life. Those moments we feel a win coming our way because of our good deeds, the sacrifices we make, and the moral aptitudes we display for others to consider our greatness.

But the real test comes when others violate the rules of the game. When someone breaks the rules by lying, cheating, betraying, stealing, gossiping, and so on. They've done that one thing that has sparked unforgettable and unforgivable anger and resentment. We've tallied the score and feel defeat knocking on the door.

Now we're forced to continue playing by the rules or consider bending what we know to be right to catch up, tie the score, and move ahead. All because we've been trained to keep score!

Keeping score can be exhausting. If we're constantly counting the punches thrown by others we will eventually feel overwhelmed by the countless opponents demanding our attention. 

Rather than experiencing the frustration of tallying the score, we must learn to find the ultimate victory in showing mercy (James 2:13).