He listened. He spoke. He taught. He went out. He retreated. He called. He led. He washed. He died. He rose....
He fed...
Matthew 14:16-20
"Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'
'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,' they answered.
'Bring them here to me,' he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied..."
He walked...
Matthew 14:25-31
"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'
'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.'
'Come,' he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
He healed...
Matthew 14:35-36
"And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed."
the Sea and Shores of Galilee,
where some of Jesus' ministry took place
including the above events
And in the midst of all this action - all of these verbs - I see a common adjective describing Jesus. Provider. He provides. Another action.
Interestingly enough, we are called to live with Jesus as our example. Wouldn't that indicate some action? Some sort of ministry or path or walk of life to follow, taking action in some way. Whether that action be big and bold, or quiet and receptive...we are called to action. Sometimes we don't know where that action will take us. But, we must move. We must act.
I confess, I'm not always the best example of this. Sure I stay busy and active - it's part of who I am. But, the action is not always the "Jesus action" so to say. Sometimes it's simply busyness. Sometimes I wave the "waiting for a word" flag. And it's usually somewhere in the midst of this routine, when I'm feeling antsy and unsettled and anxious (and I apologize to anyone who has been on the receiving end during these times) that God provides the not so subtle reminder of the things required for the race He's placed me in....
Trust.
Humility.
Action.
When complacency sets in, the questions begin. When the questions begin, the need for personal affirmation takes over. The trust in God falls, and I wonder why I feel like I'm right back where I started once again.
But the truth is, I'm not. I'm on a journey. I'm going somewhere. I'm doing something. And it's somewhere and something waaaaaay bigger than myself. Bigger than my brain can fully grasp. Bigger than my eyes can fully see. God is making my dreams come true - say WHAT???
Who knew that when God - the Creator of the universe - says He is going to do something He actually means it. Crazy right? In a world where promises and guarantees are tossed around like beads at Mardi Gras (guaranteed or your money back!), and just as quickly broken or compromised, there is One who means what He says without all the extra fluff. So when He started making my dreams a reality, naturally I questioned. I mean it makes perfect sense, right? Oh ye of too small a brain...when wilt thou learneth?????
Well, here I am once again, "learneth-ing" another lesson. In the midst of the waiting, the over-action, and the emotional reaction, sometimes you just have to go.
It seems so simple. Just go! Right, ok, well call me Peter as I swim among the barrage of questions that just flooded my brain. Until, I reach up and there is the hand pulling me back on my feet, reminding me of His presence, His provision, His call. So I will take the step. What is the step? Well, for those who followed my most recent journey, this may look familiar...
Bobbio Pellice, Piemonte, Italia;
where some of Lauren's ministry took place,
and where there's more to come
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While I do not know everything that will happen, I do know that He does. He provided the means once, and He will provide again. He knows the way. I will follow. Someone very dear to my heart (one of those dreams come true, you might say) shared this...
Acts 20:22-24
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Once again, I am taking the road to my Jerusalem - to Italy. Another leg of the race is underway, and it's time to go. I am asking for your prayers of support and partnership now as more comes together for this journey. I will be starting a newsletter via email very soon, so if you would like to receive updates this way, please send me your email address at dancinLo488@gmail.com.
It's time for action. Time to go, time to move, time to live...
She listened. She followed. She danced.
