"Give Thanks"

So…

Have you ever been asked an epic question?

One that in a flash would change your life?

Like, will you marry me? 

Or, if you could do something epic with your life, what would it be?

A singer by the name of Lily Meola sang a song on America’s Got Talent or one of those shows that goes:

“When we were kids in the backyard
Playing astronauts and rockstars
No one told us to stop it
Called us unrealistic
Then suddenly, you're eighteen
Go to college for your plan "B"
What you want is too risky
Live for weekends and whiskey
We all got these big ideas
One day, they're replaced with fears
How did we get here?
Darlin', don't quit your daydream
It's your life that you're making
It ain't big enough if it doesn't scare the hell out of you
If it makes you nervous
It's probably worth it
Why save it for sleep when you could be living your daydream?”

Epic questions!

Just like when Jesus, approached by his disciples who tell him that folks need to stop listening to him and stop being healed by him because it’s getting late and they all need to go somewhere and get dinner, asks them, “Why don’t you feed them?”

In a world of great questions, this has got to be one of the very best.

“Why don't you give them something to eat?”

What do they call that, a loaded question?

Because on it’s surface it is a ridiculous question. 

What do you mean, “why don't we give them something to eat?”

Because we can’t feed them! 

Because we don’t have that much food!

Because we don’t know how to do that!

Why would you suggest such a thing?

But…

Hanging in that question is the not so well-hidden implication that they could feed them. 

And that they should know they could.

Or, at least, know that they knew someone who could.

Last Sunday night we, and by we I mean the group that gathers on Sunday night at 6:30pm to watch together The Chosen, all sixteen or so of us, watched an episode where two of the disciples encountered a woman who needed healing.

And while these disciples had already been out a missionary journey where according to the scripture they had preached and healed people and even cast out demons, they didn’t heal her.

Perhaps they were confused by her ailment. Perhaps they were not sure because at least as the story goes, she was a woman and alone and unclean. 

But they knew someone who could!

Wrapping our heads around the idea that we worship an amazing God is a huge first step in faith.

Wrapping our heads (and hearts for that matter) around the idea that we worship a powerful God is another step on the journey. 

Then realizing that our God is deeply interested and completely committed to us is another.

And then finally coming to the understanding that this God, incarnate in the person of Jesus, is deeply interested in making whole someone we have encounter along the way and that God is waiting for us to bring to him those in need of care, is a step of faith that is simply epic!

“Why don't you give them something to eat?”

Because we don’t have any! O what? Food or faith?

You see, when Jesus asks, he is not really asking about food.

He is asking whether they have yet come to understand who he is?

Yes, he uses the food they find.

God always uses us to “make a difference”.

Because in watching God use our assumed limited resources to do miracles of multiplication and blessing for others, we see God in a marvelous new light.

The source of all blessing.

So, it should come as no surprise that when Jesus blesses the loaves and fish, he is simple drawing up our eyes to see who is the source of all blessing.

And it is why at every meal, especially the communion meal, we are invited, to “give thanks”. 

For in that moment, we are reminded of the miracle of God using the blessing he has given us, to be a blessing to others.

“Why don't you give them something to eat?”

And in doing so, see God at work in and through you.

Amen.

Amen.