A few weeks ago a bible study I am apart of was discussing a miracle Jesus performed in John: the feeding of 5,000. We were talking about how crazy of a crowd this would have been and wondered how in the world did they have the food passed around to everyone. Two things came from this conversation: 1. Woman tend to think in logistics of a plan and 2. Jesus can handle it all. If you think of crowd control, passing out food, child care, a place for everyone to sit, etc. I imagine the disciplines were quite overcome with the task before them.
The reason this miracle came to mind is because in a situation where the “workers” can be overwhelmed with all of the tasks at hand; in the end the miracle was performed. We can get so focused with everything that needs to be done. We want it all to be perfect and run smoothly. I imagine things could have really been stressful in Jesus’ day when crowds that large gathered. The logistics of planning an event can over take our lives and easily keep our minds off of the bigger picture. But in the end – the miracle is still performed! We need to remember that despite ourselves and despite our hectic plans – God can still perform miracles all around us. We are not the reason, but He is!
Monday and Tuesday Mercy Ships is having screening days in Sierra Leone. The logistics of this event are easy to overwhelm! The crew will be filling a stadium with thousands of people. Not just people, but people who are hurting, and sick, and dying. They all are hoping to get help, desperate for healing, and this might be their last chance. Every single person is desperate for a miracle; it is as though you can hear their souls cry out for help. Thousands of people will be seeking help and at the end of the day not everyone can be helped. The crew must make their way through the lines and make life changing decisions. The reality of not being able to help everyone is grim, especially when you are face to face with those who are seeking life. The logistics may overcome, but God can still perform miracles. Pray for the crew of the Africa Mercy as they are faced with a tough and crushing week. Pray for those who are planning this event that they have wisdom and strength to get through the screenings. Pray for the crowds, that they would feel the awe-inspiring peace of God and be filled with His Holy Spirit as they wait to be seen. Pray for those who are turned away, that they know that there is still hope and that hope is in a living God. Our prayers here in the states can have an effect in Africa. Through God, our prayers can shake this little nation! No mountain is too high and no valley is too low – so pray with me for Sierra Leone and for Mercy Ships Screening Days this week.
Wow...for a person who likes to plan, it's good to remember that God has it all in control.
ReplyDeletePraying this week for the volunteers and patients hoping to get their miracle through Africa Mercy ship in Sierra Leone!!! May God be glorified through Africa Mercy.