God reveals himself in the mundane, in the everyday things.
Have you ever watched professional sports?
If sports and games are not your thing, go to youtube and look up something like table tennis championships, or badminton. Fast moving, high speed… Its madness! But sometimes it’s like the opponent has a sixth sense, and starts moving into a position before the other person has even struck the ball. The amount of skill is amazing! Even slow sports, like chess. It’s like the grandmaster sees the attack five moves previously, and has been positioning themselves for a checkmate while the other guy thinks he is actually winning!
It is fascinating to see real professionals at work!
Off course, we live in the movies (well… at least in our minds) and think that we will respond like Jason Bourne, James Bond or the mission Impossible dude, next time we are in trouble. We will make all the right moves, Step aside, just so. Grab the gun and remove the slide and magazine with one hand as such, and then chop on the neck, grab the girl, and walk away as if nothing happened.
Now… unless you are spending some crazy time on the gun range or self defence class or Krav Maga training… reality might be different…#justsaying
Which brings me to the fruit of this message. Mathew 17 and Mark 9 has been on my radar for more than a week now, from different sources and for different reasons.
Specifically the part where the Disciples couldn’t drive out a demon. Jesus had to do it and afterwards the Disciples had some questions:
”Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”(Matthew 17:19 NIV)
Jesus answered them in Matthew that it was because of their little Faith. In Mark, Jesus says more prayer is required:
”He replied, “This kind can only come out by prayer, [and fasting]”
(Mark 9:29 NIV)
(Not all translations include the words “and fasting”)
Everything Jesus said and what the gospel writers recorded is true, but like a student living alone and having to bake a cake for the first time… we understand the recipe, but the technique and skill is missing.
How do you get the ball past tennis legend Roger Federer? With a topspin backhand cross. Simple… right?
But Roger knows his weaknesses and defends there. So what does it take? Hours and hours and hours on the court. How do you beat the chess opponent? Time on the board. How do you walk safely in the street? Dedication to your dojo.
And how do you know exactly the right thing to say to that difficult client in front of you?
See where I am going?
Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to squeeze out more Faith like squeezing the last bit of toothpaste from the tube.
He also didn’t instruct them to pray more decoratively or louder, or more passionately.
And not eating in front of a demon is not going to frustrate him so much that he decides to leave.
The instructions is not in the HOW but in the WHAT…
Jesus is saying: Spend time with the Father.
Do what I do, says Jesus.
How many times do we not read in the gospels that Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, or removed Himself from the crowds, to pray. Giving thanks, speaking to God, Speaking what God spoke to Him.
(this is also why the differences inn translations and even the two gospels doesn’t matter… the message is the same)
This is the Character and Nature of God. If you spend time with your wife or husband, (not just exist in close proximity) you will know them.
If you want to beat Roger in Tennis, spend time on the court.
If you want to bake a perfect milktart… you are going to have to spend time in the kitchen, learning not just the recipe, but the techniques, and equipment…
Spend time with God, and when you are confronted by a difficult customer, or an unbeliever, or a difficult situation in church, or sin in your own life… You will instinctively know how to step to the left, grab the wrist on the right, chop to the windpipe and walk away like a boss!
(Ok… that looked better in my imagination…)
Spend time with God, get to know God personally and intimately, and no situation will overcome you.
Like Peter 2 says: We can act like newborn infants, crying to God every time we want something or need something, or…
Be with God. Spend the time. Have an actual relationship.
Notice… Every great Christian leader, Evangelist and missionary has one thing in common with Jesus: The time they spend with God.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
(James 4:8 ESV)
”Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
(Chronicles 16:11 ESV)
”Pray without ceasing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
”O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
(Psalm 63:1 ESV)
Have a blessed day, and be a blessing to those around you!
