Guest Speaker : Charlotte Gambill
Author of "The Miracle In The Middle"
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus' parents lost Jesus.
If His parents lose Him, then it's safe to say we can lose Him too.
Following Jesus is not something you can take for granted, it's something you have to be deliberate about!
We can lose Jesus!
We get distracted, lose focus, drift, etc.
THE MIDDLE
We have a middle problem.
There are three stages we're constantly following through.
Beginning, middle, end.
Beginnings are exciting & have a momentum to them.
Endings have the joy of completion & an achievement & celebration.
The middle is the place we spend the most time.
We don't do well in the middle - "mid-life crisis."
God does His best miracles in the middle.
Mark 6:45
"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sen the people home."
Jesus didn't suggest, He MADE His disciples get into the boat.
You've go to do work.
Row, row, row your boat...
The enemy isn't going to destroy your boat when you can easily get back to shore.
The enemy doesn't want you to push past the middle.
The enemy wants you stuck in the middle feeling hopeless.
Mark 6:48 "straining"
"He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them,"
It's in the middle that you'll find out what's in the middle of you!!
Jesus is basically saying, I said, "Go to Bethsaida and I'll meet you there. So why are you freaking out in the middle?! Remember what was spoken to you back on the shore."
He's about to pass them and His kindness and mercy overwhelms.
Mark 6:50b
"Don't be afraid," He said. "Take courage! I am here!"
Stop going back to where you last felt safe.
Have the courage to push forward to the new shore that awaits you there.
It's only those who are in the middle that get to see Jesus who walks on water!
In the middle, you discover aspects of Jesus that you'll never discover on the shore!
Do not be afraid of the middle.
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