4:67 – Work Smarter, Not Harder

#faithbites #faithjourney smarter

Setting

Scrolling through Facebook this morning, I watched one of our Pastors read today’s devotional from our Passionate Living Lenten Devotional Guide. Today’s devotional, about working smarter and not harder, was written by me with the help of God. I was about to write a new #faithbite, but figured why not truly work smarter and just use the devotional I already wrote 🙂 The best part is hearing someone else read it, gave me another viewpoint on calling out to Jesus our friend.

Have you heard the phrase, “Work smarter, not harder”? We often work as hard as possible to solve a problem that could be solved more easily. If that’s you, don’t worry! The disciples were in the same boat… quite literally.

The disciples were rowing through strong winds and fighting as hard as they could. Despite their effort, they didn’t make any progress. They needed help. When the one person who could help, Jesus, came by the boat walking on water, they thought He was a ghost and were terrified. Though they had seen Jesus feed the 5,000, they didn’t realize He could walk on water and stop the wind. They were surprised that as soon as Jesus boarded the boat, the winds calmed and they could row to shore.

Today’s questions: When has Jesus helped you work smarter and not harder? How will you start calling on your Friend more often to help?

Scripture

Mark 6:45-56

⁴⁵ Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. ⁴⁶ After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

⁴⁷ Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning^[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. ⁵⁰ They were all terrified when they saw him.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!^[b]” ⁵¹ Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, ⁵² for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

⁵³ After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore ⁵⁴ and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, ⁵⁵ and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

Reflection

We are like the disciples. We have a friend in Christ and all we need to do is reach out to Him. He will calm the storms in our lives and help us row to shore. We just need to know He is awesome in power and no matter what we need, He can help. Are you ready to work smarter through Jesus and not harder?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for helping us through all of life’s storms. Help us to call out to you and
know that you can help us no matter what we are going through. You are our friend. Amen.