John 6: 1 - 13 1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!" 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" 10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. NLT
Philip says the problem is too big. Andrew says the solution is too small. Get it?
Most of us have traveled in these two lines of thinking when facing a stressful problem in our lives. If you are like me, you may do both simultaneously.
This happens when we make our problem or our solution bigger than our God.
The problem and/or the solution were never factored in. The question wasn't, "How big is the problem?" Or "How small is the solution?" The question is, "What is God's will?" In this case, it was the will of God to feed these people.
Knowing and doing God's will is the purpose of our life. Some things are apparent to us, such as leading a lifestyle that worships and honors Him with all of our body, soul, and spirit. But there are some more specific things that we must seek His direction. Who do we marry? What career do we pursue? Financial decisions and so much more.
When we focus on problems that are too big or solutions that are too small, we drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit who would tell us, "Be still and know that I am God. . ." Ps 46:10 NLT
Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to quiet my soul, stop focusing on the big issues and their small solutions. Could you help me to hear your will right now? In Jesus' name, I pray. AMEN.
Photo by Jacqueline Munguía on Unsplash
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