Prosper: A Reflection from Matthew 14

What could we achieve if we all committed to bring what we had to God every day, no matter how small or insignificant we felt it was? What if we refused to become distracted by the winds and waves around us, and simply focused on Him alone?

Matthew 14:13-33 provides incredible guidance on what can happen in our lives if we do just that. To bring all we have. All of the energy and passion, or, sometimes, all of the restraint we can muster. Fitness, health, or well-being in all of its forms requires us to continually, day after day, commit to making difficult choices. This is especially true as we move through our most challenging chapters of our lives. In today's society, it takes repetitive action to meet our goals of being more active, eating a more nutritious diet, and indulging in life's pleasures without developing unhealthy dependences or addictions.

The stories in Matthew 14 are ones many people are familiar with. First is the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 men (NOT even counting women and children!!!). Immediately following is the telling of Jesus walking on water to meet his disciples in their boat, resulting in Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus. The messages of these stories shared in short succession prove to be incredibly relevant to achieving our most challenging goals, wellness-related or otherwise.

Starting at Matthew 14: 15, When the disciples ask Jesus to dismiss the crowds so that they could find food before it got too late, Jesus told them to not send the people away and to feed them instead.

"But they said to him, 'Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.' Then he said, 'Bring them here to me.'" (Matthew 14: 17-18)

What follows of course is the miracle of 5,000 people being fed with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The incredible result of simply bringing forth what little they had, and God providing an infinite return of their offering.

Later, after Jesus dismisses these crowds, and the disciples have left in their boat to travel to the other side of the sea, Jesus walks across the water to meet up with them. We are told that "the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it" (Matthew 14:24). The disciples fear they see a ghost, but Jesus tells them to not be afraid, that it is truly him. Peter tells Jesus, "'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.'" (Matthew 14:28) Jesus does just this. Peter walks toward Jesus on the water...

"But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'". (Matthew 14:30-31)

The winds and waves of life can come in many forms, but they all share the same dreadful effect: they take our eyes off of our walk towards Christ and make us feel like we're drowning. Peter was already doing a MIRACULOUS thing...he was walking on water!! But by turning his focus to the whipping wind and tumultuous waves instead of putting his full attention on Jesus, he began to sink.

What incredible things do you already do in taking care of your own health and wellness? When have you allowed the environment around you to shape the confidence you have in your efforts to achieve what God has made you capable of?

How can you take all that you have today...the slightest effort, the shortest prayer, the smallest change...to give to God with the intention of moving towards a healthier, more complete version of you?

In what ways will you flourish by giving all you have to God, knowing that 5,000 people were fed on 5 loaves and 2 fish alone because it was all given to Christ himself?

Whatever you do, once you give it over to God, keep your eyes fixed on Him, and ignore the howling winds and waves crashing around you. He's got you.

You Are Made For More.

*All Biblical references taken from The New American Bible