Gracious and Generous Lord, You give me all that I need and even more … my cup overflows. I praise You for Your faithfulness, grace and mercy. You have such compassion on me. You see me with eyes of tender mercy, as a mother or father watches their sleeping child.
The road ahead and all that I have to do seems overwhelming. There’s work, family obligations, commitments to church, commitments to other organizations, paying the bills, preparing for the next life event, spending time having fun, self-care, and on and on. How will I do it all?
Sometimes I feel a tug from You to do something else, to put myself out there—to volunteer, to disciple another, to join a life group or Bible study, to spend more time with You, to read my Bible, to ….
It doesn’t seem feasible in the time that I perceive that I have. But am I seeing with spiritual eyes? Am I seeing myself in the midst of the power that You put in me through The Holy Spirit?
I think not. I’m reminded of what You did, as described in the Gospel of Matthew 14:13-21:
“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said, ‘That isn't necessary—you feed them.’ ‘But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!’ they answered. ‘Bring them here,’ He said. Then He told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”
I see it. I get it! I need to go to You. I need to ask The Holy Spirit for instruction, for the power, the energy, the ingenuity, Your strength. You Word goes on to say in James 4:5, “God is passionate that the Spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him.” I think that means that The Holy Spirit will strengthen and provide me with all things I need to follow You, and do what You want me to do. Yes, it’s possible!
But not in my strength—Yours.
In the Empowering and Generous Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
