The One Who Sent Me

Jesus said, "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day." John 6:27-40 

There are days when we hunger for those a new way, new tasty things or new life. In the drear of winter, when every day seems a challenge, every effort seems doubled, and getting out the door is an effort, we can find ourselves wanting a change, a sign, anything to break us out of the drudgery and despair of our lives. We often want a quick fix, even when we are really not broken.

Jesus challenged those around him to stop for a moment and to understand what God is doing. When we want flash, signs and sparkle, it is an invitation to get closer to God by seeing the blessings around us. Jesus was speaking with people who had direct access to the living God, the Incarnate one, the child sent from above. They had it all, and were still wrapped up in their human need for excitement. Yet they had the most wonderful gift of God in their midst. And we likewise, have that gift among us, even when it doesn't feel that way, and even when despair overwhelms. God is with us, close by and available.

Today I ask God to help me remember the reality of God's presence. May we embrace our need for new and exciting as an invitation to draw closer to God. And as we draw closer may we be ready to be sent to those who have an ache to know the love of the living God.