Letting Go and Letting God

Scripture: Mark 8:16-21

Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" They said, "Twelve."

"And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?" "Seven."

He said, "Do you still not get it?"

Observation:

In the short passages leading up to this exchange, Jesus had cured a deaf and mute guy, cast a demon out of a girl, and fed a multitude of thousands with just 7 loaves. Yet, his disciples...those who were the closest to him...those who had seen it all still looked to their own resources and their own selves to provide what they needed. This caused them to be destracted and even to find fault with one another when every thing they needed was found in the Christ sitting right there with them.

Application:

How many times as Christians have we seen the work of the Lord. We have witnessed his greatness and placed our faith in him. Yet, we still want to do it ourselves. We try to "fix" things or manipulate things so they go our way and so often that takes our eyes, our attention off of whats important.

Christ asked the disciples that day, "Do you still not get it?" and I believe he is still asking that question today. We're in some pretty good company with the disciples, but I for one still don't get it most days. Christ is going to provide everything we need to be the disciples he has called us to be. He doesn't want us to "fix" or be self prepared for every situation. He wants us to rely on his strength to be able to deal with what ever may come our way. To be totally committed to him and relying on him for everything. That's hard to do, but Christ will not disappoint.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, it's so hard to "let go and let God". I have something inside me that tells me I am the master of my universe and if I want it done right, I've got to do it myself. But you tell me to put my faith in you. You are the great counselor, the great physician and the great creator and you love me more than anyone or anything. Give me the strength and the faith to be able to fully place my trust in you in all things. Help me to remember that you are God and that nothing happens without you knowing. Continue to guide me in the ways that you would have me to go.

In Christ,
Amen