You have probably heard the story of the two sales men. Both of them were sent to a third world country to explore new markets for their brand of shoes.
After about a week, salesman number one called back and said “This is a total waste of time no one here wears shoes and they don’t even have an idea why they should put on shoes. I am flying back home tonight.”
Several days later the second salesman called and he was excited. He said “Send me all the shoes you can as quickly as possible, there is a great market here no one wears shoes, the whole country is an open market!”
While some people see a crisis, others see an opportunity within the same circumstances.
John 6:5
5 Jesus looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming toward Him, and He said to Philip, “Where will we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 But He said this to test Philip, because He knew what He was about to do. 7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii (200 days’ wages) worth of bread is not enough for each one to receive even a little.”
All the disciples see is a crisis and they do not have the finances to meet the need before them, they would rather that Jesus sends the people away. Jesus on the other hand sees an opportunity for God to be glorified for the bible says He knew what he was about to do.
Looking at situations from the disciple’s perspective makes us lose out on so many opportunities.
The disciples focused on what they did not have instead of focusing on what they had. They may have not had the money but they had Jesus the miracle worker with them. In fact feeding the multitudes was Jesus’ idea. He asks for where they can buy bread and Philip complains that they do not have enough money to buy bread.
Are you in a crisis today?
What is God saying to you in the midst of the crisis? When you listen and act according to His leading then the crisis ends up being an opportunity to change and transform lives. Remember without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus acted in faith and God performed a miracle that we still talk about today.
Look again; don’t just see a crisis, ask God to open your eyes that you may see the opportunity that is concealed in the crisis.
By Pastor James Martin Okumu/Jam 316 Radio
