I must confess, writing this article for the weekly bulletin was a struggle. The assignment, scheduled months in advance, had slipped my mind. Thankfully, I was granted an additional week to complete it. However, even with the extension, I found myself grappling with the task. Amidst preparing another assignment for Christianity Explored in the same week, anxiety began to creep in. I found myself grumbling and making excuses to my wife, who rightfully chastised me for my attitude.​

One Friday night, just days before the submission deadline, I experienced a discomfort in my abdomen after dinner. It was reminiscent of a kidney stone episode I had years ago – an experience I had no desire to relive. Despite trying to rest, the pain persisted. My wife prayed for me and, in a moment of levity, I suggested she anoint me with oil too. She applied “Ru Yi You” and massaged my abdomen, but the pain remained.​

Hoping to alleviate the discomfort, I decided to take a walk in the park. During this solitary time, I reflected on my condition and prayed. I asked God for forgiveness for my poor attitude, for relief from the pain, and for wisdom to manage my assignments. As I walked, God inspired me with a solution – I could use my preparation for a short teaching on “Feeding the Five Thousand” as the basis for this article. I thanked God for this revelation and began to contemplate the idea.​

In the first 5 chapters in Book of Mark, prior to the feeding of the five thousand, we learned that Jesus taught with authority and had power over sickness, nature, death, and even the ability to forgive sins. Afterward, Jesus sent out the twelve disciples (Mark 6b – 13) to do likewise. They experienced God’s mighty power in their mission, driving out demons and healing the sick. They were so excited that they reported their experiences to Jesus (Mark 6:30). ​

However, when faced with the task of feeding the five thousand, the disciples’ perspective differed from Jesus’. They saw the situation as remote, late in the day, and costly. They suggested sending the crowd away (Mark 6:35-36). Why did they respond negatively, especially after experiencing God’s power in their mission?​​

Much like the disciples, we often forget how God has miraculously guided us one after another. However, when confronted with challenges, we revert to our human mindset. As a result, we fail to recognize God’s power and overlook the needs of those around us. We become indifferent to societal needs and neglect to offer assistance. Even when we engage in local outreach or overseas missions, we tend to regard these as isolated events rather than continuous commitments.​

Our journey of discipleship should be a kingdom lifestyle, not a seasonal project defined by the church. We should anchor our lives in God’s power, extending compassion and support to those in need. May God open our eyes to see as He sees and to live according to His will.​

Returning to my earlier story, my painful experience humbled me and led me to seek God’s forgiveness. Without this experience, I might still be anxious and struggling with this article. By turning to God, my anxiety was relieved, and I was able to complete my tasks more efficiently. I apologized to my wife for my poor attitude and thanked her for her support. May God continue to humble me and show me His mighty power in my life. ​

To God be the glory.​

By brother Zac Lee​