Friday, January 3, 2014

Theresa Luby
Co-leader Girls Group, Co-leader Woman’s Ministry

Listen to this Devotional.

John 6.1-14

6After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.* 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they* sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

Devotional
 
Recently, I have had frequent, sporadic contact with a woman in my neighborhood. I can't say what it is, but she makes me uncomfortable. There I said it. I really can't even say why.

I take on a new role and hers is the first email I receive. I am at a gathering and in she walks. I have tried unsuccessfully to back away, move around, even hide, but there she is again. So I ask God, "What are you asking of me? What is the plan for me with this woman?"

I know that God has a plan for me, but sometimes I have a love hate relationship with these words. God has a plan for me. I know that there are times when I fight the plan - like with this woman. My type-A personality also has a plan.

Then I remember that I can also find peace in these words. Sometimes, it feels so comforting to know that He's got it - especially when I am not sure that I do. I see that in today's reading, "He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do." ~John 6:6

God has a plan for me and it is good - even if sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. God has a plan and nothing is wasted. "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." ~John 6:13

So I still do not know what His plan is for me with this woman, but I do know that whatever it is, it will be good.

Additional Readings

Psalm 68; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Eph. 4:17-32