Challenges
It is such a good feeling when we accomplish what we thought was impossible.
On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. - Luke 9:10-11
When the apostles returned from their first trip healing and curing the sick, they were probably excited to share with Jesus all they had done.
Surely the last thing they wanted was another challenge, but that is exactly what they encountered.
A crowd had gathered and followed Jesus to Bethsaida, and Jesus engaged them in conversation about God. Then they were hungry.
We know what happens next. Jesus feeds them with five loaves and two fish. But before that happens, the disciples are ready to call it quits.
They had just done what might be thought impossible, casting out demons and curing the sick, but when it comes to feeding the hungry, they have little faith they can make a small amount go farther.
I don't believe the loaves and fishes are just about what Jesus could do. Given the story starts with the apostles being commissioned to do the works Jesus had been doing, I think the feeding of the five thousand is their doing, not Jesus' alone.
It is a reminder to all of us that we can do amazing things if we have faith.
I see this every day as we encounter one challenge after another in trying to feed the hungry here in our own community. Things go wrong. More people show up than we plan for. Equipment breaks down.
But when we have faith in the mission, the pieces come together. People show up to help. Food gets donated and arrives just when we need it.
There are numerous challenges in doing the work God has for us to do, and we could look at it and say it is impossible.
But it is not impossible for God.
With faith, amazing things happen.
More to come...