The Sweet Spot

“As Jesus sat down, he looked out and saw the massive crowd of people scrambling up the hill, for they wanted to be near him. So, he turned to Philip and said, “Where will we buy enough food to feed all these people?” Now Jesus already knew what he was about to do, but he said this to stretch Philip’s faith. Philip answered, “Well, I suppose if we were to give everyone only a snack, it would cost thousands of dollars to buy enough food!” John 6

When you step into a situation where there seems to not be enough what is your first thought? Where does your heart turn? Let’s be real with Jesus today in the prompting of these questions. Let’s be real with ourselves because this is how we mature into having the perspective of Jesus. He wastes nothing in our lives. He’s always wanting to teach us in every moment if we let Him.

Philip’s answer was immediately turned to the amount of money it would cost to buy bread, but Jesus didn’t ask him about how much money they needed. He asked where they could buy enough food. Doesn’t this stretch how we think because in order to “buy” you need money. What is Jesus trying to teach Philip and us?

Philip was thinking small. Everyone could only have a snack but that would cost thousands so in his mind even a snack was not probable. Are you thinking too small about what Jesus wants to do in your life? The seeds you are putting in the ground- are they just enough for you and your family or the whole neighborhood? Jesus is stretching our faith as well.

If you want to see every situation like Jesus, He will always provide you with an opportunity to change your perspective. When these opportunities arise where there seems to be lack in finances or maybe a strained relationship. On the job, there’s real difficulties with people. How are you responding? A lot of people live in perpetual anxiety because of trials and troubles. Jesus is calling us to a place of rest at His feet.

“Have everyone sit down,” Jesus said to his disciples. So, on the vast grassy slope, more than five thousand hungry people sat down. Jesus then took the barley loaves and the fish and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the people. Miraculously, the food multiplied, with everyone eating as much as they wanted! When everyone was satisfied, Jesus told his disciples, “Now go back and gather up the pieces left over so that nothing will be wasted.”

Jesus has everyone sit down for a reason. When we sit down, we can come into a posture of rest a lot faster than if we are always trying to run around and fix our problems. Do you have a difficult time getting into a posture of rest when trials and troubles arise? There is a sweet spot at the feet of Jesus. We learn to trust Him there.

I want to end this walk with Jesus today by looking at the last part of this scripture. Jesus took the fish and bread, which was not enough, clearly, and He gave thanks to God. He gave thanks for what they had on hand and around them. He didn’t ask the Father for more. They were at rest and thankful. What happened from a posture of rest and a thankful heart? The miraculous happened. The food multiplied with everyone eating as much as they wanted. Think about how much that actually was. Estimated a total of 15,000 people eating as much as they wanted.

Then, with EVERYONE satisfied, Jesus instructed His disciples to gather up the pieces leftover so that nothing is wasted. He wastes nothing in your life. Every trial that seems to cause your life to fall to pieces He will gather up. They will not be wasted.

Find your sweet spot with Jesus today. Rest in His love. Let Him show you the things in your heart that keep you from seeing it like He does. He works all things together for our good, truly.