Advent Devotional: Day 18 – Part 2

Luke 9:12-17

The disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowds away so they could eat and rest. I get them. Crowds are a bit stressful to me.  They are noisy and demanding. But Jesus declined their request and started giving them these instructions: divide them into groups. He then took the food and blessed it. Five small loaves of bread and two small fish fed about five thousand men and an unaccounted number of women and children with TWELVE baskets of leftovers. When faced with an overwhelming task that is sure to bring stress, do as Jesus did:  Divide, Bless, And Conquer.  Your peace will be doubled.

How do you handle overwhelming tasks?  For me I stress out and shut down, but the actions of Jesus in Luke 9:12-17 reveal a powerful message to me.  How do these actions help you in our chaotic world?

Luke 9:28-26

Jesus was transformed by prayer. This transformation would have been terrifying (see Mark 9:6). I love Peter. In a moment of uncertainty, Peter says we need to set up tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Jesus didn’t have time to respond before God surrounded them with a cloud,  Here are the instructions for us all, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”  Sometimes we don’t need to fill the awkward silence or moment with our voice, but rather we need to listen for His voice.  This is when our prayers, especially when we are tired, uncertain, or fearful, transform us into tools God will use.

Transformation comes through prayer and knowledge gained by experiencing God in a more personal way.  How has God transformed you?  In our stress-filled world, where do you still need more transformation?