Day 5... The Matrix

Day 5.... The Matrix

Nope, we're not talking about the movie with Neo and Morpheus, but that is a great "literal" example of being actively involved in the world around him.

Today's lesson talks about how to be engaged, and not just going through the motions.  Much like the song by Matthew West, Going through the Motions, we need to ask God for His help to engage, so that we don't wonder, "what if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?".

The bible verse for today is from Matthew 14:13-14

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.  Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them.

Now, as you may or may not already know, the news that Jesus heard was that his cousin John the Baptist had just been murdered and he was so grief stricken that that is why he drew away to a solitary place. Have you ever done this?  Have you ever been so overwhelmed with grief or a burden that you just simply want to get away?  However, there have been others who are looking for you while you are trying to "get away", because they look to you for support, for understanding.  This is what happened to Jesus and instead of hanging out in the middle of the river (because he could have) all by himself to suffer in his despair alone, when he saw the crowds on the other side, he ENGAGED!!

This is when Jesus performed one of the greatest miracles of His ministry (Moore, p.31).  He fed 5000 men and their families.  He chose to engage and be glad in it.

We are all so busy, and I have to say that this week has been the busiest week I have ever had since I started my new job in February.  I am on the go from truly the minute I get up in the morning.  I have begun each day this week at 5:30am with this blog, then I get ready for work.  When I get to work, I am already thinking about all of the things I have to do, and then the phone rings and I have to make notes to not forget what I was already thinking about doing.  I finish work and come home, make dinner, watch the news and back on the computer to respond here on the blog, do homework or posts for school.  Whew..... I'm sure that some or maybe more of you have a busier schedule than I because you have children who need to be taken care of, parents or elderly people whom you are caring for, or a multitude of other tasks that take time to do. 
I told Dan yesterday that I was "tempted" yesterday to feign illness and leave work early, because the devil was telling me how tired I was, I was getting cranky, I just wanted to go home and DISengage.  It would have been so easy because anything that the devil wants you to do is easy!!

Our journey with Jesus and our Christian walk is anything but easy!  It takes engagement, time, and sacrifice, right?  When I woke up this morning I just wanted to lay in bed a little longer, I could think of a million excuses NOT to get up, like I'm tired, I started school, I didn't get to bed until late..... any of these sound familiar?  But, as God always does when were are listening, He finds a way to get through, and I had a God moment this morning.  When my alarm goes off it's not that horrible screeching sound, but K-Love radio station and while I was laying there thinking about ALL of those excuses, finally the song that was playing reached my ears, then my mind and finally my heart..... Calling Glory's,  Don't Give Up.  Thankfully this line is repeated many times because it took several for me to finally hear it.  DON'T GIVE UP!! 

Much like Jesus could have stayed in the boat alone, He didn't, he "had compassion on them" and performed a great miracle.  We all have people that we interact with everyday, all day long, and it is within this matrix that we need to learn how to encounter Christ, learn from Him and grow in Him at every one of these interactions in many different ways (Moore, p.31).

So, go out today and ,,,,, Remember:  Keep your eyes peeled for Jesus in your daily life!

God Bless

PS... it is raining quite heavy outside this morning, and we use a satellite for our internet, and without God this morning, this post would not have happened for several reasons :-)!!