And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 KJV
In today’s world, we can easily become distracted. However, when our hearts are out of focus, we often miss the opportunity to fulfill our purpose.
In the above scripture, Jesus recognized the spiritual need and moved with purpose. He saw the people as sheep needing a shepherd. They needed guidance, protection, and sustenance.
The disciples, on the other hand, focused on the people temporal needs and their own inabilities.
And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. Mark 6:35-36
Isn’t it remarkable how we state the obvious when focused on the wrong thing? The disciples focused on place and time and shared their insights with the very One who had created both!
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3 KJV
Lord, I’m not in a good place. This land is so dry! This isn’t a good time! How can I minister to others when I’m in need myself?
Have you ever been there?
When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread, Philip fixated on the disciple’s insufficient funds.
“Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.” John 6:7 KJV
Am I guilty of such observations? Yes. Yes. And yes, again. Over and over I state the obvious while the spiritual purpose of my present circumstances stares at me.
Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t leave me in my bleary-eyed state but commands me to take inventory of what I have, what I know, and what I can do. Then I am to place it all in His hands and allow him to bless and multiply it.
He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. Mark 6:38 KJV
And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. Mark 6:41 KJV
I’m learning that faith isn’t ignoring the circumstances around me. Faith is seeing every difficulty but remaining focused on the One standing in the midst Who is Faithful to supply every need.
And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. Mark 6:42-44
Where is your focus?
As I listened to someone speaking this weekend about the scripture above, I knew I had to learn more about yoke and oxen when he said, “A smart farmer would have a yoke fitted to his animals.”
