How Silly

I’ve been reading through Mark lately…a few chapters at a time.  Last night I read Mark 6 & 7, nothing jumped out at me as super inspiring, but it may be because I was lying in bed and my eyes were getting heavy.  So this morning I start reading in Mark 8.  It starts out with Jesus feeding 4,000 people.  I had to double check because I thought I’d already read this, but turned back and found that in Mark 6 Jesus had just fed 5,000 people.  Similar story, but different.  Anyways, I start reading….same situation in both feedings – a large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus, many had come from a long distance, they were out in (Ch. 6) a remote place, (Ch. 8 ) the wilderness, the people ran out of food and Jesus had compassion on the people.

Now, I understand in Ch. 6 with Jesus feeding 5,000 people, the disciples had never seen anything like this done before, so this is where my “how silly” thought hits me.  I’m reading Ch. 8 and this is what it says,

4 His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

Thoughts other than “how silly” crossed my mind – are you dumb? Stupid? A little forgetful?  At this moment in time, if you’re a disciple, do you not have any of these thoughts…..Hey, this scene looks a little familiar – Hey, remember what happened last time there were lots of people and they were hungry and we didn’t have food to feed them – Hey, remember what Jesus did last time?

Now, I’m just assuming not a lot of time had passed, but I’m only basing that on the fact that there are only 2 chapters separating these 2 stories, so maybe it had been a few days, or maybe a few years – I’m not sure, but it’s evident that the disciples forgot what Jesus had done.

The kicker is…I can’t just say, Oh, how dumb those disciples were.  How many times does this same response play out in my life.  I’m facing something HUGE…how in the world am I going to make this work, where is the money going to come from, how will I ever get through this, and by His love & mercy & grace, Jesus has compassion on me and miraculously brings me through this situation.  Yet the VERY NEXT TIME I face an obstacle, I’m asking the same questions…how will I, where, how in the world am I?  How silly, how dumb am I to forget what Jesus has done in my life.  Time after time after time He comes through and provides and takes care of me.  How silly.

It’s like my kids – how many times have I helped them do things – and at some point they start kicking, screaming, crying, frustrated…..I can’t…..tie my shoe, do this math problem, reach a cup….so upset, so frustrated they can’t do it.  All the while I’m standing right there – seriously – I’m right here always ready to help anytime my kids need it – why not skip the tears & heartache and just ask me to help before you get yourself all worked up and frustrated that you can’t do it on your own.   I believe this is just how Jesus is with us.

He’s been right there with us the whole time – why not just ask Him for help.  Don’t forget what He’s done in the past….remember and thank Him, then just ask, He’s been waiting this whole time.