Brown and White Eagle 

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:30-31

While serving the Lord, has there ever been a time that you needed to stop and rest; or to admonish someone for taking too long to grasp God’s principals; or you allowed your pride to do things that you knew were wrong?  I’m certain the answer to those questions are a “resounding yes”!  Nevertheless, I have another question for you.  Did you know that while in that state of rest, teaching, and self-promoting, you still have an obligation, per scripture, that you must be prepared to meet the needs of other people who may interrupt your schedules?  In fact, it is during those times of sabbatical and renewal that God uses as ‘teachable moments’ for his elect.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SISTER TEACHER?

While re-reading a couple of biblical passages in the Old and New Testament, I saw something anew.  I saw in Numbers 20:1-11 where Moses struck the rock in order to bring forth water for the Israelites instead of speaking to the rock as he and his brother, Aaron, had been directed by God.  Moses missed an incredible teaching moment because of his short temper.  While Aaron watched silently, Moses did not give glory to God.  Sorrowfully, it was this incident that caused Moses and Aaron not to enter the Promise Land.  (Moses was frustrated with the people God had given him to lead, and Moses lashed out at them instead of showing compassion.)

A second example of God providing mankind a teachable moment is found in Mark 6:30-52.  Here we find the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  When the disciples complained to Jesus that there was no food to feed so many people, Jesus’ response was for the disciples to feed them.  The disciples actually felt like the crowd was intruding on their private time with Jesus.

The disciples had a smart-aleck response: “Should we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”  You see, the disciples were jealous because they wanted Jesus all to themselves in a quiet place.  They even asked Jesus to send the people away.  The disciples had not yet learned that even while in a state of rest, followers of Christ have an obligation to meet the needs of other people who may interrupt their schedule.

Jesus used His demonstration of walking on water to show his disciples that even while He was alone and resting on land, He looked out on the sea and saw that the boat that the disciples was in was being battered and tossed to and fro.  Jesus interrupted His rest, walked out on the sea, stepped into the boat and spoke peace to the waters.  Scripture says Jesus did this because the disciples had not understood about the loaves of bread because their hearts were hardened.

If Jesus’ Disciples needed a teachable moment…what about you?

Are you open to God’s correction?  Are you so proud that you believe that you do not make mistakes when it comes to serving God?  Do you allow pride to get in the way of serving God with a pure heart and an upright spirit?

While reading these passages, I was reminded that Saints of God must always remember to put others first.  Sometimes that is hard to do especially when we are tired and weary.  We feel that we deserve some quiet time.  Some time to refresh ourselves.  But be warned.  That may just be the time God wants to grow you and take you higher in His service.  Moses and Aaron failed the test.  Jesus’ disciples failed the test.  (But remember, in these times of teachable moments, no one’s salvation is forfeited.)

Pray and ask God to make you an instrument of His peace.  I’m guilty, too, and must examine myself.  We all fall short sometimes…but we all must get up, too.  Be blessed my child.

Although the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi is not Scripture, it is befitting for this blog.  Please read and apply the teaching therein.  Converse with God for a deeper understanding.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!