In my Bible journaling today, I chose verse 13 to ponder. We all have our tough seasons don’t we? And sometimes, just because our tough season doesn’t look like cancer or job lay-off, we just plow right through because, “Someone is worse off than me.” And that’s true, there probably is someone worse off than we are, but that doesn’t mean we’re not in a tough season. Let’s grant ourselves the grace to lean into a hard season. Not lean toward the hard, but lean toward the grace available in the hard.
I’ve found that a tough season doesn’t go away because I work harder in it? I’ve also found that a tough season has a specific noise about it. Our Lord and His Apostles had those times. They were preaching, teaching and healing…dodging those who already hated them and living a nomadic life. And when Jesus hears about John being beheaded, well, He needed some time to refresh…in the quiet. But people soon followed so His season of quiet was short lived…but He sought it, and what if that was enough?
The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide states, “He retired in order that He might refresh, by a season of quiet, His Apostles, who were now returning from their preaching, and were wearied with their many labours.”
I’m living out my own tough season right now, and although not as a disastrous as some, it’s a burden for me. But I find when I have the intention of seeking quiet, I start to find small pockets of it literally and figuratively. Or rather, maybe I’m just not filling in more noise so it seems like quiet? Hmm?
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 14
P –I do not want to complain about my circumstances right now, but I also do not want to ignore them. My “hard things” can look pretty darn easy to some. That’s ok. Only God knows my heart and he knows what has stretched me thin and why.
O –I love that Matthew 14 shows a compassionate Jesus. He’s obviously moved by John’s death. He has compassion on the crowd following Him. He tells the disciples to go on ahead while He disperses the crowd–something He could have handed off to them. He calms the storm and when back on land lets those thronging after Him touch His garment to be healed. His compassion was great in very small acts.
W —vs 13…When Jesus heard about John, he left in a boat and went to a place where he could be alone. The crowds heard about this and followed him on foot from the cities.
E –I’m struck by the words I just typed, “His compassion was great in very small acts.” Oh momma’s how much of our days are filled with very small acts for our people? And how’s our compassion in those very small acts? Great? Stifled? Selfish? Is there a such thing as “impatient compassion?” If there’s no such thing known, let me introduce myself…
R –Lord, I want BIG compassion. In this chapter which shows Your awesome compassion, it also also tells of the time You sought quiet. I think they are connected.
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments.
Deb00 says
P- open the eyes of my heart Lord!
I- Jesus asks us to be steadfast in Faith, to speak the truth even when it’s not popular ( as John the Baptist did), to be courageous in making the right decision in all our actions despite the influence of the crowd around us, including backing off on a promise if we see it leads to unforeseen evil (as Herod did not do). Many times in the gospels Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray to His Father. If He who is God needed time to pray alone to His Father how much more do we need that! Even when He was off praying alone He was still mindful of what was going on with the apostles……a reminder of how mindful He is of all that is going on in our lives even when we feel all alone. With God all things are possible if only we would trust!
W- mt 14:31 oh you of little faith, why did you doubt
E- I have such an issue with trust. I want to be courageous enough to never walk away when I see or hear something sinful going on but to speak up for GODS sake., and to never doubt that God is with me, hears my prayers and answers them in His time with His will
R- Lord I believe! Help my unbelief!
Deb00 says
Being at the lake I am in and out of service so finding hard to post but am keeping up and with all of you in spirit . Also twice now I have been 3/4 way thru my post them lose it all and too frustrated to start over. Will keep trying
Jenny says
I’ve been at a soccer tourney all weekend so I’m sporadic too. I have enjoyed your reflections!
Michelle says
Jenny, I love your reflections. Yes, yes and yes to all!
Today, my reflections were on Herod and how, influenced by his own words and the fear of what other’s would think, he goes ahead and murders someone.
How often do people stick to their choices, which may have been born of good intention, in spite of new revelation to the contrary? Can I find an example of this form of pride and fear in my own life?
Jesus, help me to yield to your commands and to have an open mind and heart. I want to be ready to change my mind and actions when the truth reveals itself.
Deb00 says
Oh how true!!! My thoughts exactly just you made it more concise
maddalena70 says
P. God never let me doubt…. Let my eyes and heart be always focused on you!
O. I have already experienced the power of my faith during my adult year…. Even in doubts…. It is so important to never cease praying and have faith in Him… No matter what, where or when!
W. Oh you of little faith why do you doubt?
E. I envision the day in which I will be able to teach my girls to never cease to have faith even in hard moments.
R Let your compassion and example even in hard times be a constant lighthouse for me.
Jenny says
Oh beautiful image…”a constant lighthouse…”