Inspired
Bible Text: 1 Perter 2: 19-25 and John 10: 1-10 | Preacher: Speaker: Phyllis McMaster
Good morning! Would it be correct to assume we’ve all felt overwhelmed at sometime in your life? I am sure you have all found yourself in a situation where you initially felt it was just too much. Sometimes the entire world situation feels like too much.
The rain and floods in communities so close to home
The worry about our Senators and are they going onto the next round
Trump and his next gaffe that targets Canada and our trading relationship
Syrian Refugee crisis in Europe and Africa
Cost of hydro and gas
I know at times there are situations that seem far beyond our reach. Often I am left wondering, ‘what can I possibly do?’
Let me share an example of how a person can be partner with Jesus to see what can be done and how it not impossible to reach out and care.
Rebecca Sherbino (wife of Joel who created this worship service) worked with International Ministries for four years in Malawi. She is now the co-founder and co-director of the Raw Soup Social Enterprise. Here is her story in her words:
“I can remember moving back to Canada. At the time we had three young kids and I was a bit at odds of where to invest my time. I wanted to make an impact, and had the time, since I was a stay at home mom. I began to look for new ways to get involved in the community and the church.
I had been concerned about a young girl at our church. She had graduated from high school and lived with two parents living on the Ontario Disability Support Program. She seemed to be heading in the same direction as her parents because of some developmental disabilities and a lack of support. I figured I could get involved by helping her find work. For the next year, I drove her twice a week to a job training program and supported her as she tried to find employment. After a year of hard work and kilometres on my car…no job was found.
Amanda was unable to find work. Because of her developmental disabilities she is unable to work at the speed required for most jobs and struggles with multitasking in a fast-paced environment. This was very frustrating because Amanda really wanted to work and was a loyal and committed person heading quickly in a bad direction.
But what could I do? I had tried and it didn’t work out. Then, one night, my friend and I started to talk about this situation and brainstorm ideas for how we could find a solution. We came up with an idea and approached our congregation at Paris Presbyterian Church to see if they would support a ministry initiative to create employment for people with disabilities. The concept was for people, just like Amanda, who wanted to work but were unable to find a work environment to fit their needs. The vehicle for providing jobs was to employ people to cook gourmet soup that would be sold in the community. “
Fast forward two years and the Raw Carrot is thriving! With seven part-time employees, their not-for-profit enterprise is making a big difference in the lives of the workers and the community. When asked, Rebecca would say the trigger point was being overwhelmed. She wondered, “what could I possibly do?” Rebecca then stepped out in faith and tried something.
In the story of the feeding the five thousand we see the makings of one of the great realities of following Jesus. Jesus does not only get our attention in moments when we feel overwhelmed, but He uses that feeling as a catalyst for inspiration.
Let us turn back to the passage that was Doris just read and begin to look for some clues that will show us how we can partner with Jesus to make a difference.
Jesus had been busy healing people. Now he and his disciples were looking for a little R and R. The crowds, however, had other ideas. They tracked him down. Imagine…thousands of people coming towards you. We often think of this as the feeding of the 5000, but that is not fully correct. Only the men were counted in the 5000—there were women and children present as well (Matthew 14:21). So imagine say 15 to 20 000 people coming toward you!
And what does Jesus do? He turns and says to Philip, “where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”
Can you imagine if you were Philip? I would be freaking out. I would be thinking, ”Why are you asking me? Go ask an organization or someone else with catering skills.”
In Philip’s response, we see that he felt the situation was beyond him. There was no real tangible solution. Philip is overwhelmed. So what does he do — he makes excuses.
Do you ever do that? You see a circumstance or a situation and immediately your mind races into how there is no way you could have an impact. This is pretty much what Philip did when he replies to Jesus, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” Or in other words—there is no way, it can’t be done. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
But the story doesn’t end there,. Another person steps forward with a plan. Andrew found a boy with a small lunch. Like an equivalent to a modern day Happy Meal, a fillet-o-fish. And he gives it to Jesus reluctantly. I think we can understand why he did it reluctantly. Philip had just crunched the numbers to show it would take six months of a person’s wages to feed everyone. Think about that for a second. And here is Andrew offering a boys lunch of five barley loaves and two fish to feed 5000 plus.
Can’t you see yourself there? At times we act like Philip. We are overwhelmed by the circumstances so instead of doing anything we make excuses. Where as other times we may be like Andrew. We have a little to give, but we are not so sure that it will make a difference. The attempt is too small but when we partner with Jesus, a miracle can happen
Jesus took that Happy Meal. He blesses it. He gives it out. Not only does everyone eat, but there are leftovers!
So where does this leave us. What is our take away? The answer is in Verse 6 of the scripture. Jesus had a plan in mind and by partnering with Phillip ,Andrew and the young boy he was able to do something incredible and amazing – feed the masses .
Sometimes we need help to shift our perspective into a different light. When we find ourselves in situations that seem beyond what we can do, we should pause and think about this story. Perhaps Jesus’ request is an invitation for us to join Him.
The way I see it is that when we feel overwhelmed, we can either respond like Philip, with excuses, or like Andrew, and start looking for solutions.
This one miracle is yet another example of how much Jesus values partnership. He chooses to ask others to join him. I believe that Jesus asked Philip—not to put him on the spot—but to see if he would join him to make a difference.
And you know what? Jesus has not changed his ways. He desires to work with you and me to bring about change in this world. Will you join with Jesus to make a difference?
What this miracle reminds us of, is how changes often happen in the midst of the challenges. When we begin to see the possibilities in the challenges we face we can become INSPIRED.
Let me share a few others examples of inspired work in our Presbyterian church, that Joel has provided.
1. Together We Can! Guatemala project:
We see all the challenges that are faced in the world. The lack of food, clean water and basic medication are only a few obstacles men, women and children face daily. We can throw up our hands and wonder what we could possibly do or we can step in to try and make a difference.
In Guatemala, indigenous Maya-Mam people living in the highlands have a rich culture, yet face discrimination and deep-rooted poverty borne out of decades of civil war. A lack of economic opportunities and environmental concerns such a climate change, encroaching mining operations and deforestation make it difficult for families to break cycles of poverty.
In this area, food insecurity is a daily concern because 95% of the population lives on less than $2 a day and over 75% of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition.
We have the ability to change the lives of these families. Presbyterians support through PWS&D. Ruth Pollock and Diana Kemp were part of this food security project.
This Together We Can! project enables families in Guatemala to eat more and better food by improving agricultural practices, that will help the soil to produce more abundantly. Growing a variety of crops—including fruits, vegetable and protein-rich beans—and learning how to cook them, will have a healthy nutritional impact on families.
PCC and local congregations have not made excuses, but have worked to help the Maya-Mam people living in the Guatemala.
2. Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise:
Back to Rebecca and the Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise, they are doing great work in helping change peoples lives, as their tag line says, ‘one bowl of soup at a time.’ WMS played a role in the very beginning by making a donation that helped Rebecca and her team get of the ground and running.
3. Together We Can ARISE Ministries is another project that was supported by Presbyterians through Presbyterian Sharing.
In Toronto Women involved in the sex-trade are one of the city’s most marginalized and victimized populations. Globally women and girls account for 75% of all trafficking victims. And 58 % of these are for the purpose of sexual exploitations. In Canada human trafficking studies have shown the majority of people trafficked are aboriginal women and children.
Those involved in the sex-trade, some having been “turned out” into prostitution at 13-years-old or younger, have been devalued through coercion, exploitation, abuse, isolation and prejudice. Together we Can is a program to empower these individuals through relationship and goal setting that they might be able to advocate and reclaim for themselves their lives. The program offers support, weekly street outreach and builds relationships with at risk women, children and youth.
Good can come out of challenges if we focus our overwhelming feeling into some type of action.
I think of our Presbyteries project to bring two Syrian Refugee familes to our area. Can you imagine how overwhelmed the organizing committee felt when they learned they had to raise a minimum of $50000 to support these families once they arrived. Our area being mainly made up of small rural congregations, this could be seen as a daunting task. With faith and hope, the Presbytery has been able to raise over $22000 dollars and now that one of the families is here more donations are flowing in the support this cause. We can play a small role in the success of this venture. A small donation today when combined with other peoples multiplies quickly much like the story of the loaves and the fishes.
Will we allow Jesus to use our lives as we partner with Him. Consider these next steps.
Step 1. What is personally going on in your life? Are there situations around you that seem to be a bit too much for you to bear? Do you wonder if there is anything you can do? Is God bringing something, or someone, to your attention? Remember Andrew. See what you have. Start there. Starting is way better than making excuses. And never forget, Jesus values partnership ‘and no gift is insignificant when placed in the hands of Jesus.’
Step 2. Look at the church. Sure we see the challenges ahead. We are shrinking in numbers, our congregation is getting older and there are fewer people to take on leadership roles. However we are grateful for the new faces and families that have joined us and isn’t it just wonderful to have a children’s story every Sunday and Kathy who has taken such an interest in starting Sunday School. Let us work together to find solutions not make excuses.
Try taking a different approach and believe that Jesus wants to partner with us. Incredible things happen when we stop making excuses and begin looking for solutions. Remember the Raw Carrot and their goal ‘to change the world, one bowl of soup at a time.’ As it has been mentioned to the kids earlier, examining our personal life and our church will require courage. It will mean being stretched. Jesus came into this world, died for our sake and then rose again, not so that we will be comfortable, but so that we will live an abundant life. And for me, that takes courage, inspiration, faith and hope.
What can we do
Let us support causes of WMS, Presbyterian Sharing, PWSD or Presbytery of Seaway Glengarry Syrian Refugee Fund. A small amount can go a long way when combined with others to help people less fortunate here in Canada and around the world.
You too can have an elastic band. Take one and be reminded that we want to be stretched by God. When we are, it will not only change our life but it will have an impact on others.
I want to conclude with some thoughts on inspiration.
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly.”
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”
Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
There is no traffic jam along the extra mile.”
The longest journey you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart.
Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people . Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better that when we found it.
And as my Seize the Day calendar says for May 7 – Fly High, Be Brilliant. Celebrate all your Accomplishments.