Late in a Remote Place?

This week I have been over my head in images of bread as I studied and pondered the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30-44), preparing for the lesson that I taught today. At one point, I actually thought that I could smell bread baking; just thankful that it was not day old fish.

I came home and tried to take a nap – wiped out from teaching and staying up later than I would normally like. However, I couldn’t sleep. One small part of my lesson kept coming back to me.

The disciples and Jesus had just landed on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Hours earlier, Jesus had suggested that they go to a solitary place to rest for everyone was tired, and so that was what they intended to do. However, there was an interruption in their plans. People. Hurting people. Lots of people -- probably numbering around 20,000. Jesus, being filled with compassion, as He always is, began to teach them.

Now, I can’t be sure what the disciples were thinking, but if I was there, I would have been disappointed. “What happened to rest and relaxation time? I am weary and worn out. I needed a break. And now this?”

So, the disciples take the problem in to their own hands. They state the obvious to Jesus, “This is a remote place and it’s already very late,” and they come up with a solution.

As I taught, I tapped my watch with my right hand, gesturing “I’m watching the time and it’s getting late!” And as I did so, I remembered how I have done this to God a multitude of times, speaking almost the same words, “This is a remote place and it’s already very late.”

Sorrow. Suffering. Pain. Loneliness. Betrayal. Regrets. Dreams dashed. These are the remote places I was thinking about – specifically, the most current remote place that I find myself in.

And like the disciples, I have tapped the old watch and reminded God of what is happening and the time that is slipping by. As if He didn’t know … but I was (am) worn out and weary. I often times can only see my time line. And while marinating in my own inabilities and unbelief, I – like the disciples -- consider taking the situation in to my own hands, saying to myself, “Is God going to do something about it or do I need to?”

Dear reader, do you feel like that? Are you experiencing a remote place in your life and feeling like it is getting late and something needs to happen?

I want to encourage you (and myself), today – continue to press on. Keep your eyes fixed on Him -- He is looking at you. He is watching and He is orchestrating. God’s ways are higher than our ways and He does have your best interest at heart. Keep on listening to Him and trusting the situation in to His hands. He will show you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. His timing is good and perfect. He has everything under control.