So much of the modern world likes to present an image of everything neat, sorted and capable. At this time of year the added factor of sunny summer holidays (at least on the adverts) adds to the impression that it’s possible to live care-free.
Of course, a quick glance at the news will quickly spoil the image, yet the chaos in our lives can make us yearn for simple, beautiful solutions that leave the pain behind. Sadly, the behaviour of Jesus’ followers can fail to point to the true answer everyone so desperately needs:
Last Sunday evening we heard the pain expressed by a desperate Father seeking help in Matthew ch 17 as he finally spoke to Jesus with the words:
“I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” (Matt 17:16)
The passage goes on to describe the Lord Jesus’ complete authority over the situation, but also His exasperation with disciples who tried to solve the brokenness with their own abilities rather than His. Their failure was caused by a lack of faith:
“…you have so little faith.” (Matt 17:20)
Yet it wasn’t the quantity but the quality of their faith that was the problem: the object of their faith was wrong!
Confronted by brokenness it’s too easy to default to the world’s solutions rather than look to the Lord.
Jesus said that if we trust Him then great things will happen, miraculous solutions to the mess of our lives.
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20)
How do we know that we’re relying on Him? Pray!
Spencer Shaw