Belonging (S2) : WK 1 - MON
(John 6:1-3) After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.
It’s easy to be busy. You know you have never had a hard time finding something to do. In fact, if you ever get to that point, isn't it interesting that there is always someone out there ready to put more on your plate? It seems like the minute you sit down to take a breath, the email notification pops up, or the text ding sounds. It feels as though you are never not going to be busy.
I wonder if that is the reason why our pastor for discipleship, Jon Ciccarelli, chose this past summer to have us all read the book An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling. As I read it I was thankful and angry at Jon for choosing it. I needed this book in my life, even though I didn’t want to admit it. If you want frustration and transformation in your life, read the book. Believe it or not, I am recommending it.
We find Jesus in this passage facing two choices. One, help the crowd that is following, or two, take a minute and connect with his disciples. We assume that in every crowd that followed Jesus there were people that were sick, sad, lost, confused, broken, and Jesus had the power to heal them all. The table was set for Jesus to change all their lives. But in that moment, he chooses to stop, sit, and connect.
There will always be more to do to help others. There will always be a need to fill. You are never going to have to try and create more opportunities to do ministry. They will find you. But times to connect with God and each other, with no other agenda but to create community, those need to be intentionally sought out. They will not fall in your lap. You have to make them happen.
So follow Jesus’ example today. In the midst of all the needs and the requests, take time, sit at the feet of your Heavenly Father. Pause. Take a breath and bask in his love.
It’s easy to be busy. You know you have never had a hard time finding something to do. In fact, if you ever get to that point, isn't it interesting that there is always someone out there ready to put more on your plate? It seems like the minute you sit down to take a breath, the email notification pops up, or the text ding sounds. It feels as though you are never not going to be busy.
I wonder if that is the reason why our pastor for discipleship, Jon Ciccarelli, chose this past summer to have us all read the book An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling. As I read it I was thankful and angry at Jon for choosing it. I needed this book in my life, even though I didn’t want to admit it. If you want frustration and transformation in your life, read the book. Believe it or not, I am recommending it.
We find Jesus in this passage facing two choices. One, help the crowd that is following, or two, take a minute and connect with his disciples. We assume that in every crowd that followed Jesus there were people that were sick, sad, lost, confused, broken, and Jesus had the power to heal them all. The table was set for Jesus to change all their lives. But in that moment, he chooses to stop, sit, and connect.
There will always be more to do to help others. There will always be a need to fill. You are never going to have to try and create more opportunities to do ministry. They will find you. But times to connect with God and each other, with no other agenda but to create community, those need to be intentionally sought out. They will not fall in your lap. You have to make them happen.
So follow Jesus’ example today. In the midst of all the needs and the requests, take time, sit at the feet of your Heavenly Father. Pause. Take a breath and bask in his love.
- What do you imagine Jesus and the disciples did during this moment of connection?
- What makes it hard for you to pause and connect with God?
- Who is someone you can connect with today? Check in with him or her and see how they are doing.
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