A Conversation with Jesus

MAN-2-MAN WITH JESUS

 By Jude

 Jude:  Jesus, a new road lies ahead of me. I’ll soon be moving to a new situation, making new friends, doing new things, and probably making new mistakes. I’m essentially starting a new life for myself and my family. The immediate future worries me. I have questions, and I need some specific answers.

 Jesus:  Ask away.

 Jude:  It says in Your Word, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”¹ How much will I need to rely on You to supply, and how much will I need to rely on good old-fashioned elbow grease?

 Jesus:  I could easily supply all your needs all the time, with little or no effort on your part, but would that really be best?

 Jude:  I see what You mean. If You performed a continual stream of astounding wonders, I’d probably get lazy.

 Jesus:  That’s right. I generally try not to perform so many miracles that people take them for granted.

 Jude:  But didn’t You promise that You’d open the windows of heaven and pour out so many blessings that we won’t have room for them all?²

 Jesus:  I did. I enjoy showering you with blessings, but sometimes I close the window that showers you with dollar bills and instead shower you with life-experience blessings.

 Jude:  Hmmm.

 Jesus:  Sometimes they don’t look great at first, but the resultant depth of character can be more valuable and enduring than money.

 Jude:  So, am I right in concluding that You plan to supply my material needs in miraculous ways only when things get really desperate?

 Jesus:  Not necessarily.Sometimes I’ll perform miracles just to remind you of My awesome power.

 Jude:  It couldn’t come down to only those two options—my doing all the work or Your doing mind-boggling wonders—could it?

 Jesus:  No. My blessings take many forms. I will set opportunities before you. I will put ideas in your head. I will help you learn new skills. I will give you unexpected financial boosts. I will do all these and more because I love you. These blessings may sometimes be inconspicuous, but when you do notice them, thank Me.

 Jude:  Okay. Will do. I feel better now. I’ll do what I can, trust You to do the rest, and try to recognize and thank You for all the ways You supply my needs.

Jude is a software developer in Australia. ■

1.            Philippians 4:19

2.            See Malachi 3:10.