7:37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said...
For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well
-a hymn
It seems an impossible task, to do all things well. Especially so in this crazy, madcap, fast-paced world which we live in. We run like insane hamsters, just to stay in one spot. Our schedules are crammed tighter than sardines in a can. The winds of circumstance blow, and the storm rages on. How can one possibly hope to do all things well?
Many people ask themselves that question in some form or other, whether with regard to specific failings or just the general stresses of life. The question highlights the fallacy; there is no need for us to do all things well - Jesus does all things well. There is no doubt that, with the skills and gifts and talents that have been granted us by the giver of all good gifts, we have the capability to do some or many things well. But the ability to do all things well is beyond reach of any human, even Oprah.
There will be times when your best is not enough. When you lack the skill or the strength, or events simply seem to conspire against you. On these occasions, I urge you to bring these things before God, and cry out for help in humility, and commit these things into His Almighty hands.
I am currently facing a situation at work, where I lack the talent needed to complete a task assigned to me. I have prayed, and I await an answer expectantly.
8:12 He sighed deeply, and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it."
I'm sure there's something significant here that i'm missing about those last seven words, besides the fact that they differ slightly from the other account of the same incident (i think). hmm..
8:16 They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."
This is downright hilarious. Go read it in context. Honestly!! "because we have no bread" what?! make no sense whatsoever. but these are the same guys who, 2 chapters earlier, "drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them."
Maybe they lacked intelligence, wisdom, perception, whatever. But with the faith that they had, and with the good example of Jesus before them, they cast out demons and healed the sick and preached repentance to the people.
You don't have to be smart.... "If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask for it" in James somewhere i think....
