Showing Up

I woke up feeling a little harried today.  A mound of e-mails in my inbox.  Some fear over assembling a "to do" list after a week out of town.  Some general feelings of self-doubt and discouragement about ministry dreams.  Enter Panera Bread, a chocolate chip bagel, and about 45 minutes with Mark 6 and my journal.  And Jesus shows up.

He shows up as one who didn't receive support from many who knew him well (Mark 6:1-6).  I don't know how that affected him emotionally.  He certainly wasn't a people-pleaser, but I bet he would have loved to hear more "You can do it!" from his hometown crowd.

He shows up as one with limited resources (Mark 6:30-44).  Five loaves.  Two fish.  Hard to build a movement on that budget.  Yet, the limited becomes limitless in his hands. 

He shows up as one unconcerned by the storm (Mark 6:45-56).  The sea is raging, the wind is blowing, but he calmly intends to walk to the other side.  He only stops when he realizes his disciples need to be comforted by his presence.

Today in Panera I was reminded that all I really need to do is to keep showing up.  Keep taking steps.   Because Jesus will show up too.  He always does.  And he helps us follow him forward.  Obstacles don't hold him back.  He always advances his purposes.

Although it probably helps that he doesn't have a mound of e-mails to deal with.

Comments

[Debbie]

I needed that reminder tonight. Thanks Tammy for sharing.

[kathryn]

Well said! thanks tammy!