Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
How often food is mentioned in the Bible. Moses and his people were given manna to sustain themselves in the desert, but told to only gather what would be eaten that day. Jesus turns water into wine. And barrels are filled with oil. Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about food and drink. Jesus takes the small loaves and fish and feeds multitudes. Jesus shares bread with his disciples before his being crucified. What about, “man does not live by bread alone.”
Yet does bread have other meanings? Of course it did for the Lord’s Supper. But how do we apply it in our daily lives? I don’t think we are meant to sit idly by and expect to be fed, clothed, or housed. The disciples were on a mission to spread God’s word – that was their occupation.
I am reading Elisabeth Elliot, author of God’s Guidance, A Slow & Certain Light, with Study Guide. It is a study on the Lord’s Prayer. How many times have we recited this model of prayer, yet be immune to its meaning? Do we even think about it, or is it something we have memorized and repeat without thought. When we petition Him for bread, we are acknowledging that God is our provider of all things. In her book, she “likes to picture the Lord handing me a platter at the beginning of each new day. On it are the things he has chosen as best for me, and my prayer for daily bread is answered. My part is to receive whatever he gives. Guidance for a decision that need not be final until next Wednesday may require one small move or commitment today. I accept that and act on it without haggling with God because he has not yet granted me all the information I’m itching for. Perhaps patience is his gift of bread for today, or quietness, or the gift of uncertainty, that I may rest in his love, confident that when the time is ripe, the guidance will be clear.”
Certainly a more thoughtful interpretation than I had given it. How about you? What are your thoughts? I write to express my thoughts, but I do appreciate hearing from you.
Have a blessed day!
Beautiful words..and I love the painting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!
Love,
Shirley
Thank you so much for stopping by my "Pay it Forward" on my Brushstrokes Blog.
ReplyDeleteI too love the writing of Elizabeth Elliot. I think your expression in painting and word is quite touching.
I have an Art Blog where we have art challenges, but it's been a crazy month, as my family are getting ready to celebrate my 70th birthday tomorrow.
Can anyone join your art challenge? How often do you put one up?
In the meantime, I just wanted you to know I enjoyed reading both your blogs, and the art work is lovely...really think those umbrella's in the cloudy sky is excellent.
A new friend, Wanda from Brushstrokes.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to post!
ReplyDeleteShirley - thank you for the kind words about my words and painting.
Wanda - I appreciate your comments on my writing and art. The art challenge that I mentioned is through a group of painters (A Passion For Painting) that sell on artfire.com.
Currently I don't know of other challenges, but I am looking.
Hard to believe you are 70! Your positive outlook shines!
Thank you both!