Sometimes the task at hand seems to enormous for even Jesus to handle. Now, you know that that is not what I believe. However, I have to also be careful that I don’t fall into that trap of thinking that “I” can handle everything and that if “I” can’t do it then, well, it probably just can’t be done. What is funny is that I have to catch myself thinking that way and say, “Wait! Jesus has performed miracles in my life! I have seen his Spirit changes the lives of countless others!”
The key is, when I come back to reality and start saying “Wait!”…..I also start saying, “Okay Lord, what do you want me to do to accomplish this and I will do it!”
Mark 6:35-37 (TNIV)
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take almost a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
When I felt the pastoral calling in 2003, this is exactly what happened! Here I felt Jesus calling me do what? The realities are that He was calling me to exist on less money, to open my life to the world, to speak God’s word in front of crowds, to love people that are often hard to love (I know, I am one of those people that are rough around the edges!)….. to step so far outside my box that it seemed impossible. BUT…..I definitely heard Jesus’ voice in my heart and I said, “Okay Lord, what do you want me to do to accomplish this and I will do it!” I spent five years in study, in service to the elderly, the homeless, my friends and my family…the key is, I was in God’s classroom and I just kept asking that same question and doing what I felt God was telling me to do….every day, not just once! Interestingly enough…..Jesus provided every step of the way. I didn’t know it then (it’s called faith and trust)…but as I look back now….I sure know it. I have to add that as I saw Jesus providing and working in my life….it became easier to trust. I always say, “Cling closely to those moments when you see the miraculous work of Jesus in your life….hold them close to your heart and never forget them”.
Don’t let something that seems impossible keep you from believing the possible. Over a year ago our Elders felt God tugging at them and telling them that it was time for our church, LifePoint, to become a more permanent part of our community. You see, we have been proud to partner with the YMCA over the last 8 years and we meet in their facility which serves us well. However, we are only able to use it on a very limited basis on Sunday’s. One thing this meant was that we needed to start looking for a permanent facility for the church that will accommodate regular weekly worship, mid-week events, and our administrative offices. Interestingly enough…our elders heard this call…..right in the middle of the probably the toughest financial time our church family has ever seen….and then a tree, of all things, fell through the wall of our admin offices condemning our building. Interestingly enough also…….it was that incident that helped us get out of the financial rut we were in! We worked out of our homes for months. BUT….we didn’t give up hope! We kept asking, “Okay Lord, what do you want us to do to accomplish this and we will do it!” Now, over 70% of our congregation has completed Financial Peace University, significantly reducing their personal debt. And doors have opened that we didn’t know about before. It will probably still be another 12-18 months…..however…..we just keep asking that question, “Okay Lord, what do you want us to do to accomplish this and we will do it!” and He continues to provide.
Many of you that are reading this are seeing firsthand the lesson of trusting Jesus. His answers aren’t always “immediate”….but if you ask that question, “Okay Lord, what do you want me to do to accomplish this and I will do it!”…..HE DOES PROVIDE! The key is, in your life; don’t be so preoccupied with the immensity of the task that you can’t see what is possible with God.
When you see a need to fill or hear a calling in your life, or if you feel that Jesus is telling you to do something, listen closely for His words in your heart…”You can do it, I’m with you!….now go get started!”. Don’t focus on what you don’t have. Focus on what Jesus is telling you to do. Do you not realize that all things are possible with God, indeed Jesus?
Matthew 19:26 (TNIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, “With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”