16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Matthew 17: 16-17
Jesus gave His disciples the power to cast out demons and to perform miracles of healing (Matt. 10:8). He gave them His authority to minister to people, yet they became so self-centered that they lost the power to do the work of God. They were so concerned with position and status that they lost their focus on what God wanted to do through them.
They were supposed to be on a mission with Him to bring salvation to others, but they had become so disoriented to Him that they were spiritually powerless, lacking the faith to bring physical and spiritual comfort to those God had sent to them.
God ought to be able to send a hurting person to any child of His and expect that they will be helped. Like the disciples, we can become so preoccupied with our own ambitions and distracted by the busyness of our lives that we become ineffective in ministering to those whom God sends to us. It is even possible to become so involved in religious activity that we are of no help to anyone.- Experiencing God- Henry Blackaby
Our lives today are filled with going and doing, highs and lows, frustrations and pain as well as sooo much more. We become very narrowly focused and often loose sight of the world around us.
The reality of the Christian walk is we have been placed on this earth, right where we are, to make a positive impact on the lives around us for and by Jesus. Just like the disciples though, we get off track. Why is that?
There are many reasons our focus becomes blurred and set upon things that distract our original purpose but I want to share with you today that I think all of the reasons stem from just one: We spend all our time fretting over ourselves and our situations that we forget; that job belongs to Jesus!
We have become a society that believes we have to fix things ourselves. We have to be the solution to all of our problems. The old adage is: If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!! While there is definitely some merit in working through things and coming up with solutions, none of that should be prior to seeking God for direction, guidance and allowing Him to work. If you have given your life over to Christ........ THEN DO IT... Give Him your life: your worries, your sorrows, your pain, your job, your relationships, your addictions..... GIVE them to Him and He will deliver you and provide your answers!! I know, a little rough, but friends, what will it take for us as His disciples today to realize that GOD has the answers and knows what is best? Let Him handle our situations so that we can become a blessing to others and help encourage them to find the same source of answers and solutions that we have: Jesus.
If you take time to read Matt. 6: 25-34 you will find that Jesus has already told us how not to get so preoccupied WITH our lives that we lose sight of His purpose IN our lives. He uses the analogy of the birds of the field not worrying about where their food will come from. Think about that for a moment:
Spring is returning, slowly, but many birds are already starting to sing their pretty songs for us as a welcome to spring and to remind us to look forward to the bright sun, fresh flowers and warm temperatures. Just a few days ago one of my Facebook friends said: "I heard such a beautiful array of bird's singing this morning when I woke up!! I can't wait for spring!"
Now think about if the birds were like us and were so preoccupied with where their food was coming from, where the cats are, is there going to be enough material for my nest, etc., that they could not sing for us as God has placed as one of their purposes on this earth? It would be a sad spring wouldn't it. Their songs would be low and sad if they would sing at all. But NO! They sing as they know they will be taken care of! What about you?
Are you so worried or preoccupied with the things of your life that you are missing your purpose and blessing that God has for you? Do you not know that you are more precious than the birds of the field? maybe it is time to start singing a new song!! One of praise and trust in the God who fashioned you with His own hands and laid a life out before you that will one day bring you to the doors of a mansion He has specifically made just for you!!
Do not lose sight as satan tries to discourage you from your mission with God by causing you to focus on this life and your situations! Know that you are taken care of!! Now go out and make a difference in someone's life for the positive today!!
God's Got This!!!