Power to Change » crowd

Walking in the Rush

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:00:57 +0000

Do you feel like nobody listens? Do you want us to pray for you?

“Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me” (Psalm 56:1).

Living in a smaller town, I forget how hustle-bustle it can be in the city. So when I get into large crowds at a concert or in the mall during the holidays, I get a sense of panic. Being short, often all I see in the rush of the crowd are shoulder blades and the napes of necks. I can’t see where we are going. I am not in control of where I am headed, but am being moved along by masses. They decide where point A and point B is and if I don’t match their pace, I’ll get stepped on. It’s a very unnerving feeling.

Part of me wants to break free and go my own way. Find point B by myself. But, have you ever tried to go against the direction of a crowd? It’s hard to do without getting bumped, shoved and glared at, and perhaps called a name or two you’d rather not hear.

People don’t want you to go against the crowd. We are all supposed to conform, go one way and be united. They may do what they can to get you back in line. No one likes a maverick, an outsider who won’t play the game. David in this Psalm must have had that experience. Hear what he says about his enemies — “They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps” (vs.6)

As Christians, we often don’t follow the crowd. We follow our Savior instead. The world dictates self-involvement, dog eat dog, me first, grab-it-while-you-can attitudes. Christ calls us to turn cheeks, think of others first, and even give to our enemies. Paul said the way of Christ can be a stumbling block. It goes against the flow of human nature, and often times stirs up strife. How often was he kicked out of synagogues and a few towns for speaking the Gospel?

How often are we? Do we proclaim Christ crucified as the director of our path, or do we silently move along the crowd in our daily lives, diverting just momentarily on Sunday mornings? Do we fear the extra effort it takes to break free of the crowd and be an example, afraid someone may step on our toes, or worse perhaps provoke them by stepping on theirs? Do you fear if you get out of sync with the world you’ll stumble and fall, and perhaps be trampled?

How do you walk in the rush of the crowd? Here is what David did. He let God do the directing —
“For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (vs.13).

If we really believe Christ is the Way, His is the direction we must follow. We must trust He will deal with the crowds and their reaction. Who knows, maybe we’ll not only turn a few heads in our diverting from the ways of the world, but turn a few hearts to follow Him as well.

Questions: When was the last time you went against the crowds for your beliefs? How did that go?

An Unexpected Miracle

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:00:46 +0000

Is there life after abuse? If you are a victim of abuse, please take this study to discover tools to deal with this.

Imagine her packing 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish and handing them to her young son. Probably not yet a teenager, the boy was anxious to go and join the crowd following Jesus. She would have had no idea what a life-changing event this would be for her son as he left to join the crowd of onlookers.

The story of the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 is a familiar one. It was an exciting time 2000 years ago when great crowds of people followed Jesus because they saw miraculous healing of the sick. (John 6:1-14)

When the crowd became tired and hungry Jesus asked what food they had available. That young boy’s lunch was used in a miracle that we still read today.

I wonder if the boy’s Mom was in the crowd that day. A mother would have been concerned about the heat and the long day. She would have insisted her child eat the lunch she had prepared. She would want her child nourished. When Jesus asked his disciples about feeding the crowd would she have drawn the little boy back as he stepped forward to offer Andrew his own lunch? Mother logic could possibly have blocked a miracle.

The little boy did step forward. He did offer his small lunch to the disciple of Jesus and the rest is history. Even Andrew wondered how so little food could even make an impact with this large crowd. Yet a miracle awaited. Jesus took the boy’s loaves, gave thanks and had them distributed to the crowd of over 5000!

Imagine the exciting story that boy went home with! There had even been twelve basketfuls of leftovers. The little boy must have been changed forever as he saw his small resource used greatly in the hands of Jesus. What a miracle!

As moms, it is often easy to let logic try to over-ride the sometimes-radical faith of our children. It’s been our job to stabilize, rationalize and energize our children as they have grown. To release them to be Jesus followers is not always easy. Sometimes it will look to us like they are giving up the very thing they need. Trusting Jesus with their hearts and their lives is what we are called to do.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).

Father God, thank you for recording this amazing little story for all time. Thank you for the hidden lesson of the mom who let her son go to follow Jesus. Help me today to release my children to You, whatever their ages, so that I might not hinder any work You are doing in their lives. Hold my mother heart in your hand. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions: Why do you suppose Jesus frequently used children to help to demonstrate who He was? What was the purpose of the miracle of the feeding of the 5000? What miracle has Jesus performed in your life recently?

Are you Alone in the Crowd?

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:25:29 +0000

“Once bitten, twice shy.” This short phrase encapsulates why some people make the difficult decision to be alone in life. After all the headaches and heartbreaks that a person has experienced in relationships, “Why bother?” they may think. It seems less painful to be alone. And it is, for a time. But eventually the pain of loneliness can be even greater. Have you ever felt alone? Do you feel that way now? Would you like to talk about it?

What Would Be Your Answer?

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:00:11 +0000

What will you do with this one called “King?” Talk to us.

“What shall I do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” (Mark 15:12)

The crowd has been whipped into frenzy. Only days before, many of these same people had raised their voices in praise to Jesus, shouting loud “hallelujahs” to the one they thought could deliver them from Roman domination. Why, now, do they roar for a death sentence from Governor Pilate?

Walter Wangerin, Jr. writes, “This is the natural reaction of sinners in the presence of a Holy God.” We are inexorably drawn to a Jesus who feeds our bellies and heals our wounds, but when He quietly calls for commitment outside our comfort zones, we step back, uncertain we want to be that radically identified with Him.

While the crowd roared, Jesus stood humbly yet majestically silent before the questioning governor. He stands that way today before each of us. Eventually we must all personalize and answer the question: “What will I do with this one called King?”

Questions: Why do you think the mood of the crowd changed from exultant praise to condemnation? (You might want to read Mark 11:1-19.) What keeps you from “crowning” Jesus as king in your life?

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

An Unexpected Miracle

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:00:40 +0000

Does your marriage need a miracle? Someone would love to chat with you about that.

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EDT.

When the crowd became tired and hungry Jesus asked what food they had available. That young boy’s lunch was used in a miracle that we still read today.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).

Questions: Why do you suppose Jesus frequently used children to help to demonstrate who He was? What was the purpose of the miracle of the feeding of the 5000? Has Jesus performed a miracle in your life recently?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Created to Become like Christ, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog