Finally, we have entered a new year, a time where we look forward to starting over and feeling the freshness of new beginnings!. Grace is expected to experience the new ......oh, how we take that piece for granted...... grace.
As I attempt to move forward in a new time or season in life, reflections happen naturally as if I am looking in a mirror, seeing beyond my present and back into the past. The danger is that "trauma" can trip me up, make me fall, and keep me from moving on...... because I am afraid to lose the memories......
You must make yourself move beyond the mirror.
In the book of Matthew of the Bible, Chapter 14, we see what "trauma" can do to the most devoted followers of the faith. These disciples of the Christ, ordinary men who threw off the familiar to follow an adventure, were tasked with taking the body of their dear friend John to bury after a despicable beheading. Imagine what they must have thought: .the memories.....
After the burial, they had some time alone to pray and reflect; however it wasn't long before the demands of life became their reality again. The famous "Feeding of the 5000" took place on a hillside, soon after this loss. When there is a need that arises, do I put myself first or do I rise up when called upon?
.Putting myself in their shoes, I would imagine the last thing they wanted to do is reach out while they themselves were hurting. The followers in fact, did want to send the crowds away, but their leader Jesus, wanted to meet their needs, to give them "food." He wanted to show them something miraculous in their time of brokenness.......
In a symbolic moment, he broke the five loaves and shared the few fishes which multiplied to feed the masses. The little bit they had was blessed beyond their comprehension. That is what can take place in our brokenness...... as we share with one another....... "they ate and were satisfied." There were even "broken pieces leftover" that were picked up.
Brokenness brings benefits. (Tracy Gehman)
From there, Jesus immediately shipped them off in a boat as He needed time alone, again to reflect and pray, to regroup and gather His thoughts. I am sure He knew that they needed to push ahead and move on. It was time to look past the loss and pain, and go to "the other side". The "waves and wind" would toss them about and beat upon them, symbolic of doubts, instability, and feeling buffeted by everything that can come against us when we set off on the journey to move on...... ."to the other side."
But I cannot stop. You cannot stop..... even in brokenness.
#restoration2017