There is an interesting story in the Bible in Mark 9:14-32 about a young boy who was both deaf and mute from childhood. He also experienced periodic convulsions that put his very life in harm’s way. His father was desperate to find him help.
One day the Father asked Jesus’ disciples to pray for his son and cast out whatever evil spirits were causing these problems – “…but they could not,” he later told Jesus. After a gentle rebuke of the disciples for their unbelief, Jesus spoke these wonderful words of invitation, compassion, and intervention that he, to this day, speaks into the complexities of our lives also. “Bring the boy to me,” he said. With shaky faith the father did. Jesus rebuked the controlling spirit in the boy and commanded it to come out and never return to him again. With a loud shriek, the spirit shook and convulsed the boy one last time and left – never to return.
On another occasion in Galilee, thousands of people who had followed Jesus and sat under his teaching were now hungry with no provisions in sight. The disciples came to Jesus in a tizzy! Jesus inquired as to what they had. All they could come up with was a little boy's meager lunch of five loaves and two fish. Jesus instructed them to bring it to him. Again, as they brought it to Jesus, he prayed over that little lunch and miraculously multiplied it to feed 5,000 men – plus women and children. And they had 12 basketfuls left over! (Mark 6:30-44)
Both miracles happened when the matter was eventually brought to Jesus. How many times do we fret, and worry, and get ourselves all in a tither about needs in our lives when they too could be resolved by “bringing those needs to Him.”
What are you struggling with? What family or personal needs have been plaguing you – that you yet have not brought to Jesus?
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message)
Your needs are a platform for God to display his power and grace. Bring them to Jesus!
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
