How often have you missed a moment because you were ‘too busy’ or missed the bigger picture because you were so focused on ensuring your small part of the world was being attended to?
In John chapter 4 verses 27 - 34 (NIV) we see the story where the disciples are rejoining Jesus while he is speaking with a Samaritan Woman.
Here we find the disciples are more focused on ensuring Jesus is fed (in the natural) rather than finding out what is happening and why this interaction is happening.
In John chapter 4 verses 31 - 34 (NIV) it says;
“..Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
This encounter (whilst it made me laugh reading it) reminded me of how I can be when God wants to use me. The town is coming out and making their way to meet Jesus but the disciples are so preoccupied with themselves that they have their eyes closed to what is happening right in front of them.
In John chapter 4 verse 35 it says (NIV);
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
Would it change the world
Recently at church, I was listening to a preacher who said one of the most challenging thoughts:
“If God answered all your prayers... would it change the world or only change your life/world?”
This thought captured my heart because in a world filled with instant gratification from technology, public transport filled with people with earphones in, and cities filled with people walking to get to their destination—are we missing the point? Are we walking with our eyes open to the need? The hurting? The lost sheep that Jesus came to save?
Luke chapter 12 verses 48 (NIV) says;
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”
In God’s economy, I find that I am constantly challenged in my thinking, my wants and desires because it is so easy to get caught up in the world’s norms—
whether it is focusing on my own career path, my own comfort zone, or perhaps my own environment.
Open our eyes
This same pastor, Chris Hodges, spoke and raised three points where we could all benefit from opening our eyes:
- Where they are?- The fields are ripe for the harvest! Whether we are on the bus, train, work, cafe, gym or even in traffic! People are placed onto our paths, not by coincide but by God-given appointment.
- Who they are?- Do we only talk to those who we find it easy to speak to? Do we only love those who we know will love us back or can offer us something? Do we go after the one, the person on the outskirts, the marginalised or perhaps the forgotten?
- What they need - One of the most profound thoughts I’vehad recently is the balance around truth and grace. Truth without grace is mean; however, grace without truth is meaningless. We need both, we need to bring both to the table for the c
Meenal Chandra is a newlywed writer based in Sydney, Australia. Meenal loves to travel, read and tackle the real, authentic issues that we face everyday. Meenal Chandra previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html