Kendall the Fire

Is your life, like the semi above, precariously balanced? Or, possibly not balanced at all? We live in a world that worships an imbalanced lifestyle. Being a workaholic is both praised and rewarded. Yet, by his own example, Jesus teaches us about balance in Mark 6.

The disciples have come back together after a important ministry outing. They are enjoying the warmth of community. Then, Jesus basically tells them to “chill out” and not forget the importance of rest, of solitude and prayer. Now let’s see what happens next…

Mark 6:34 – 44

³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. ³⁵ By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶ Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages^[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand

In the bigger story of Jesus and the disciples, this part of our story highlights what we might call the “action phase.”  If we had started reading a little bit earlier in the passage, we have would have seen the importance of community (a healthy social life). We also would have heard Jesus speaking to the disciples about the value of rest and solitude (spending time alone with God). Now, we see Jesus and the disciples turning to crowds ready for ACTION. The first two Basics of Balance—Community and Solitude (rest)—are now followed by action.

You could say that the first steps are about preparing ourselves. But, now it’s time to get down to business. Jesus does a very “Jesus-like” thing and verse 34 says, “Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

Jesus’ go to action step was teaching… WHAT’S YOURS?

Some Christ-followers are teachers. Some are generous and compassionate. Some are skilled and willing organizers. Some–maybe you–are great listeners with helpful counsel. The New Testament reminds us that each and every one of us has a spiritual gift and also a set of skills that are crucial to the completion of Kingdom work.

Wise people, balanced people incorporate the preparatory steps of rest (including prayer and solitude) with community (a health social life) and THEN they embark upon the action step.

So, how are you doing in relationship to the action step… particularly as it relates to the Kingdom of God? Are you engaged in something that has eternal value?  The most meaningful things we will ever do are the ones that count for all eternity.  Getting recognition for our accomplishments is cool… making money is fine… but when we can do something that makes a difference for all of eternity—either for us or for somebody else—that is the best!

And… notice that this miracle story wasn’t just a Jesus-only-thing.  Of course, he handled the teaching part, but look at verse 37 “You (disciples) give them something to eat.”  Jesus left this important work to his followers.  They passed out the loaves and fishes. They had their hands all over this miracle. God worked to feed the hungry. They gathered up the 12 baskets of left-overs.

Today, God wants to do everyday miracles THROUGH YOU!   

Now, You Go Get You Some of That!