deserted

In the Message translation of Matthew 5:33, the disciples ask "But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?"

Have you ever been deserted or been in a deserted place or a deserted time in your life?

It's frustrating when we see nothing. But what does Jesus see?

just speak the word

There's a story about a Roman military officer who sends messengers asking for Jesus to heal his servant. Usually what Jesus would do was to personally go and heal. But this Roman officer was so humble that he didn't consider himself worthy of a personal visit. He asked Jesus just to say the word, believing that the servant would be healed.

I don't know exactly what was going through the officer's head, but what I see is someone who wasn't looking for an elaborate show or an emotional high. He knew who Jesus was, and he just needed Jesus to speak the word.

What do we look for when we are hurt or dealing with a tough situation? Sometimes we hear what we expect to hear. Other times we get a more challenging answer, or we don't get an obvious answer right away. But ultimately, when God speaks, His words bring life.

share

Last week when I was in Mexico, I half-jokingly told teenagers that the word of the week is share.

The last 10 months have been the first time in my life I have lived alone. Sometimes it feels like being alone is reality.

Why is it difficult for us to share? Time. Money. Space. Stuff. Sometimes our focus gets so narrow that the smallest things seem so big. It's easy to get caught up in ourselves.