Matt 16:8 "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about
having no bread?" NIV
It was early on Wednesday, July 28th, 2004, when we hitched up our trailer and
left our "home" of the past three days in L'Anse-aux-Meadows, at the
northern-most tip of Newfoundland's northern peninsula. Our destination was
Grand Falls-Windsor, found right in the center of the province. We didn't know
exactly what awaited us there, but we did know what we were leaving behind:
beautiful shorelines, whales, icebergs, migrating birds, history, beautiful
people with simple lives, and, I might add, some of the more desolate
countryside we had ever visited.
As we pulled out of the campground, the gas gauge of our van was a hair above a
quarter. In the past week and a half of towing, we had learned that this was
enough to carry us approximately 60 kilometres, so when we passed a single gas
pump in front of a convenience store in Griquet St. Lunaire (the biggest village
in our immediate surroundings), we pulled in to fill up.
It wasn't until we had stopped at the pump that we noticed the price: 99.9 cents
a litter! (equivalent to 3.50 U.S. per gallon) Wow! But then, what would you
expect in such a desolate area? And besides, as my wife quickly pointed out, it
was "full serve" only. The next decision was promptly made: We would go to the
next gas station!
Little did we know that there would be no gas. About 30 kilometers out of
Griquet St. Lunaire, my wife, who was driving, remembered seeing a sign over the
next nearest gas pump that read: 130 kilometres to the next gas station! She
knew very well that we would have only a hair of a chance of making it that far
with so little gas WITHOUT the trailer; but with it, there was NO WAY! We were
doomed to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, and since we didn't have any
cell service in this remote area, there would be no hope of help. But she didn't
say anything. It was too late to turn back anyway, and what good would it do to
worry me about it? Besides, God was in control! So instead, she prayed. She
began thanking Jesus for providing us with enough gas to reach the next gas
station.
About 70 kilometres farther down the road, I noticed that the gas gauge was
halfway between a quarter and empty: "Uhhhh . . . We don't have any gas!" I
said. It was pretty obvious there weren't any gas stations around, and
naturally, I started to panic: "How far to the next gas station??? I don't think
we are going to make it!"
"About 30 kilometres up ahead," my wife responded calmly. "But don't worry. We
should have run out of gas about 40 kilometres ago."
"Uhhhh . . . Run out of gas?" I could feel my anxiety mounting.
"Yes," she answered. Then told me the above story, and added that from the time
she had prayed to that very moment, over 60 kilometres of road, the gas gauge
hadn't moved. I was amazed, and I joined in praising God. The gas gauge dropped
steadily from that point on, and 30 kilometres later, when we pulled into the
first gas bar in 130 kilometres, it dipped way down below empty. But we had made
it. Thanks to Jesus!
Interestingly, this gas station was also "full serve", and the price was $1.00.9
a litre; but for some reason, we no longer minded paying that much for our gas.
In our shoes, would you have cared?
We are constantly faced with potential disasters, and no matter what the
problem, there are always two possible choices: 1) Worry ourselves into feeling
miserable; or 2) Trust in Jesus and be happy. Jesus' disciples were faced with
the same choices. When Jesus declared to them to beware of the yeast of the
Pharisees, the immediately began to worry because they had forgotten to bring
bread: Matt 16:7 "They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because
we didn't bring any bread." NIV
Poor choice! (Would we have made a better one?) Immediately, Jesus rebuked them:
Matt 16:8-11 "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about
having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves
for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves
for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don't
understand that I was not talking to you about bread?" NIV
How easily we let circumstances dictate the mood we will be in and how fast we
forget the miraculous provisions Jesus has already made for us. Didn't he feed
masses of people with just five loaves one time and seven loaves another time?
With such a caring provider, why worry? Circumstances only will bog us down,
while Jesus will always lift us up. What is your preference?
Rob Chaffart
Written in July 2004
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.