Facing Tough Choices
I hope you are enjoying this day as a miracle gift from God!
Today, I want to talk about tough choices. We all face them, don’t we? Decisions that weigh heavily on our hearts, choices that can shape our future.
When I consider tough choices, I’m reminded of Aron Ralston, a 27-year-old adventurer who found himself trapped in a remote canyon in Utah. An 800-pound boulder pinned his arm, and for five long days, he was stuck. He tried everything to free himself, but nothing worked. Finally, he made an unimaginable decision: to amputate his own arm to survive. He said, "I felt pain, I coped, and I moved on."
His story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, we must make difficult choices to preserve what matters most. We all make these choices. Some of you have had to decide how to feed your family, others have had to choose to engage in challenging medical treatments, and some have faced the difficult decision of caring for aging parents. We all must make tough choices.
Today, we’re going to look at some tough choices made by Jesus and His disciples. We have spent this week reflecting on the first part of Jesus' dramatic 24 hours, the heartbreak and pressure He faced. Today, we’re moving to the later part of the day, after a full day of teaching and healing. I’m sure Jesus was tired and stretched, but He knew what was coming.
Matthew 14:13-21 tells us, "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” It was evening, and the disciples suggested sending the crowds away to find food. But Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:13-21 NIV)
In John 6, we meet a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. This small offering became the center of a miraculous event. Jesus, even in His exhaustion, remained calm and prayed for God’s blessing. Jesus knew the powerful and calming presence of His Father.
I remember being in a stressful situation at the airport. I was late, security was a hassle, and I was feeling overwhelmed. But then, I remembered this passage and started praying for the people around me. It shifted my focus from my own stress to God’s presence, and I calmed down.
The disciples, however, were focused on what they lacked. They had just returned from a successful mission trip, where they had witnessed miracles, but they quickly forgot God's power. It’s easy to forget what God has done when we’re faced with a new challenge.
friend, before we even get to the miracle, let’s embrace the “Miracle of the Pause.” Are you feeling overwhelmed and under pressure right now? Stop. Pause. Pray. Hand the situation over to Jesus. Ask for God’s blessing. You will be amazed at how He responds.
Tomorrow, we will see what happens in response to this boy’s sacrifice AND the prayer of Jesus! Let’s wait with expectancy, knowing that the God of that miracle is also the God of ours! Let’s pray...
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to face tough choices with faith and calmness. Help us to remember Your power and provision in our lives. Give us the strength to trust You, even when we feel overwhelmed. In Your name, Amen.
Never forget, my friend, you are a miracle!
