Rev. Don Campbell
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, MAY 9, 2017: BECOMING POSSIBILITY THINKERS
Jesus had sent the 12 out in twos for their first “internship” in preaching. They returned successful, but weary, prompting Jesus to say, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:30). When they arrived at the place of the retreat, the crowds were there waiting for them. As the day wore on and supper time was drawing near, the disciples suggested that the crowd be sent into villages to buy food for themselves. Jesus challenged them: “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37).
Phillip was the realist with a sharp pencil and quickly pointed out that eight month’s wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for each one get even a bite. Andrew spoke up, saying, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9). Either Andrew was a pessimist, speaking cynically or a possibility thinker. John paints a picture of Andrew as one who brought things to Jesus. He brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus in John chapter one (vv.40-42). He came to Jesus carrying the request of some Greek-speaking Jesus to have an audience with Jesus (John 12:20-22). I have to believe that Andrew was a possibility thinker—“Jesus can do something with five loaves and two fish that we can’t do.”
We need fewer realists with sharp pencils and more possibility thinkers like Andrew. There are three principles of possibility thinking we can glean from this incident.
• Assess our resources. Jesus could have rained bread from heaven, but he chooses to work through his disciples—then and now.
• Bring our resources to Jesus in faith: We have enough to do whatever needs to be done if Jesus says to do it. We have enough people when they are committed to the Lord; we have enough time when we put first things first; we have enough money when we turn loose of some of it and let Jesus multiple it.
• Follow through in faith. Jesus did not produce a mountain of bread and fish and then tell them to start passing out the food. He told them to have the people sit down and then begin passing as he broke and blessed. When a congregation is afraid to cash in some CDs and invest the money in God’s work, God will quit presenting them with opportunities to do his work. Their bank balances will testify against them (Jam 5:3).
When the Lord’s churches are being led by those with a passion for people instead of the mindset of a group of investment bankers, God will provide.
