“I’m hungry. When’s lunch?”
“Well, if I could find the tuna salad, I’d have an answer.”
“I thought you brought it.”
“I’m not the one who packed the basket!”
“You better have picked the right mustard.”
“When did I become the mustard manager?”
“I thought there’d be some dill pickles in your knapsack.”
“Why would I have the dill pickles?”
“Didn’t I hear Mom saying she’d send them along?”
“From what I’ve seen, you’re her favorite, so she should’ve given them to you!”
“What? I can’t even find a loaf of bread in this mess!”
“Oh, man! We’re all going to starve.”
I have no idea if this is how the disciples’ argument went that day in the boat. But I can imagine. When Jesus heard them bickering, He threw out a pop math quiz. How much food did they start with when He fed the five thousand? Five loaves of bread, right? And how many baskets of leftovers did they gather? Twelve. And what about when He fed the four thousand? What was the amount of food available? Seven loaves. And leftovers? Seven full baskets.
How quickly these guys were distracted from the reality of Jesus’ power. No lunch fixings? These were minor points compared to what Jesus could offer.
When we gather as believers, many topics might occupy the discussion. We can focus on what we lack or the rabbit holes of politics and our different opinions. Many things concern us as Christ-followers, and we should be involved in ministering for Him in those areas. But arguments over incidentals distract from the reality of Jesus’ power.
Join me in keeping the main thing the main thing. Whatever it is, Jesus has and is the answer.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and RobinHiggins.)
Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to two of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, facilitating a small women’s group at church, and mentoring a few friends who also desire to write.