On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” John 2:1-3 (NIV)
The apostle John gives this account of the first miracle in Jesus’ ministry. As I read I see John getting to know this Teacher he is following. They are invited to a wedding feast. Weddings in this time and place were celebrated for days and wine was as important as a wedding cake is to our modern celebrations. If the wedding cake does not show up for the wedding – everyone will notice and the family giving the celebration will be embarrassed. Wine for this feast had run out and Mary was moved with compassion for the family. There was a problem and she took it to Jesus.
As I meditated on this principle – I have a problem. I take it to Jesus. – I asked myself, “Why not?” What keeps me from turning to Jesus, from praying or talking a problem over with Him first? Instead of Jesus being my first inclination, I struggle and then say, “Well all I can do is pray” as if it is the only option left.
God did not intend for me to just sit and use Him as a vending machine. This is not without merit. God gave me a brain and talents and He expects me to use them and not waste them. When I was in nursing school, I learned many new skills. The first time I scrubbed for an operation, my instructor was right there with me. I had read and seen the scrubbing technique demonstrated but I needed someone right with me to make sure I carried out the theory in practice. I believe God would like to be in on more discussions about problems and He might have some input on potential problems in my plan!
I want to be independent. I was watching a video of a toddler as she used a spoon to eat some fruit. She stuck with it and was getting most of it to her mouth but the last pieces were a bit small so she dropped the spoon and just stuck her hand in the bowl, which was a technique in which she had more experience!
From childhood, I struggle to become more independent. My first car and my first apartment were milestones I celebrated as I moved away from my dependence on my parents. I quickly learned independence had hidden costs but I learned and succeeded. I also learned that depending on someone else came with disappointments which spurred me on to be more independent.
While independence is a good characteristic of growing up and maturing, I believe a parent should also instill in their children that no matter how old they are or how far they roam, their parents are there for them. And I have certainly learned God is always there for me.
The problem isn’t really important. When I look at my problems and concerns, I often think that in comparison to the global problems, I am pretty insignificant. I apply my limitations to God. He has only so much time and attention to give and my problems fall off the list to make room for wars and catastrophic disasters.
God told Zephaniah that He “rejoices over” His children (Zephaniah 3:17). The psalmist said God rescued him because He “delights in him.” (Psalm 18:19) God loves me. So why not bring my problems and worries to Him?
So I’m going to put the tea kettle on and pull up another chair and talk to Jesus about what is on my mind today. And I’m thinking, based on the testimonies of others who have gone before me, I will leave the burdens with Him and do what He says. Yes, why not go with God’s plan?!
Through Heaven’s Eyes composed by Hans Zimmer and sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell
