The people in the world can be divided into two groups: people who expect God to be God and those who don't. Some expected so much of Jesus that they dropped everything, traveled a great distance, spent three days with Jesus, and put themselves in a position where they would be stranded in the desert without food (Mk 8:2-3). Either Jesus did a miracle or these people were in trouble. Jesus did perform a miracle and multiplied the loaves and fish.
On the other hand, many of Jesus' disciples expected little of Him. They "replied, 'How can anyone give these people sufficient bread in this deserted spot?' " (Mk 8:4) These disciples did not make an act of faith but a statement of their helplessness.
Which group have you decided to join? Will you put yourself in a position where God has to come through? Will you drop everything, burn the bridges behind you, and trust Him for your next meal? God has never failed, but we have failed to give Him a chance. We try to save our lives, and so lose His miracle power and tender presence in our lives (Lk 9:24). We must stop trying to control our lives and let God be God.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I let You father, feed, protect, and love me. |
| PROMISE: | "The people in the crowd ate until they had their fill; then they gathered up seven wicker baskets of leftovers. Those who had eaten numbered about four thousand." –Mk 8:8-9 |
| PRAISE: | Our Lady of Lourdes visited a young woman on a "deserted spot" and it thereafter became a place of countless healings. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College