I was just thinking about ...
I flipped to the lectionary passage
for this Sunday’s message. Hmmm, gospel of John…feeding of the 5000… yes,
yes, I know this one. How am I going to tell this in a new … what’s this? As
I looked over the passage again, I was struck by a few words. Jesus asked,
“Where are we to buy bread for all these people to eat?” But then the text
goes on to say; he was asking this to test them, for he already knew how it was
going to be done. Phillip came up with the obvious. “Master, I don’t have
that kind of cash on me, and I don’t think we have that between us.” (Man,
where’s an ATM when you need one, huh?)
But
Jesus wasn’t thinking plastic. He was looking for a little faith. And he found
it in
You know
the rest of the story. Everyone eats and lives happily ever after. Well maybe
not the 2nd half, but they did get to eat their fill that day. And
all due to one boy offering up his lunch for God’s use. Now how did I get life
and roller coasters out of this? Yes, yes, I can hear you thinking this as I
type. Bear with me. Now, God could have made fish hop out of the sea, they were
right there by it, right? And Manna fell from heaven in the desert, right? Same
thing could have happened here. But Jesus wanted a show of faith, no matter how
small. He was looking to see what was in the disciples.
Life is
much like roller coasters. Some people love them and the best in them comes out
when they’re on the wildest, fastest, windingest (I think that’s a word, it
is now!) roller coasters. They laugh and scream and feel the rush of excitement
as they fly through the turns and flips. And even after the ride is over, there
is an excitement that can’t be dulled. However, we all have different limits
of excitability. Not all of us are meant for the top of the line roller
coasters. And if we pass our limit of excitability, well, let’s just say it
not the “best in us” that comes out. You’ve seen them, sitting just
outside the exit to the ride, showing a color God never intended for them to
have. You’ve probably heard them, too. “Ohhhh, that wasn’t a good idea,
why did I let them talk me into going.”
Jesus
knew that his disciples were going to have the greatest thrill ride in life of
all. He was just testing them to see if they were ready for it. Were they going
to be up to the challenge, or were they going to be incapacitated, feeling
sickly? But the testing isn’t just for them. God knows what we’re going to
be facing in our lives and sometimes, I think we get little tests to see what
we’re up against. Just like exams in school. You may be able to bluff your way
in talking to a teacher. But an exam usually shows how well you’ve mastered
the material, and if you’re ready for the next level.
So if
you feel like you’re being tested, smile and be hopeful. God may be preparing
you for the next new adventure in your life. And if you’re up to it, it may be
the greatest ride you could have conceived. I know my calling to the ministry
was. It has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And it hasn’t always been
enjoyable. But it has definitely been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Each day is like a new ride. And I can’t wait to get in line again. Have a
great day and …
Drop
on by anytime, I'll be here and so will God,
Dennis