Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite.” (John 6:3-7)
Haven’t we all acted like Philip before?
Responding to circumstances through pessimistic filters all the while labeling ourselves a “realist?” Naturally It’s easy for us to read seemingly impossible situations through our realist optical lenses. It’s human nature. But I love that Jesus tested Philip here to see if he would allow his thinking to soar to greater heights.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus went UP on a mountainside to sit down with his disciples? God desires for us to climb to greater heights so that we can see new vision and experience a fresh perspective.
Often times our mountainside may consist of us opening our bibles and allowing God’s thoughts to permeate ours. If we do not allow room for God’s word in our minds, our thoughts can become stuck in SMALLER THAN thinking which can determine how we respond to situations around us. And if we are not careful, just like Philip, we may NOT be able to spot the faith filled opportunity which lies ahead due to our not being able to SEE ABOVE the supposedly insurmountable barricade that surrounds us.
I love the many ways that God has tested our thinking and challenged our faith throughout our Coreluv journey.
There have been countless times where we could have thrown the towel in on GOD DREAMS because our thinking was too SMALL. Whether we thought we didn’t have enough ability to do what God had asked us to do (although true), or enough resources (true again), or enough people to help us accomplish the dream, little by little God used those challenges to break through our own limitation barriers which ultimately built our faith and changed our perspectives. Whenever we bring Jesus into our impossibilities, He has the ability to change them all! We have witnessed it time and time again!
So how does this parable end?
Jesus’ group of unqualified, earthly thinking disciples discovered a glimmer of hope! A little boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish! Although their ONLY option appeared too small and unrealistic to feed all of those people, Jesus took it anyway. And He did the impossible with it!
Can you imagine the awestruck wonder that happened that day inside the disciples’ hearts and minds? Any time someone witnesses a miracle of that sort, I am sure they are never the same.
Their hearts must have been changed, their limitations must have been lifted and their thinking must have been altered! And it is no different for you and me.
When we allow faith to be our compass, Jesus will transform our thinking into believing Him for greater things. Are there thoughts of pessimism in your own minds that have prevented you from attempting great things for God? Have you given up too easily on dreams because you perceived them to be unattainable? Take a little time today to read this parable in full.
Perhaps God is wanting to break through your limitations and change the way you think about the challenges around you.
After all, He still does the impossible!
Mandy Reiszner