"The Notwithstanding"

 "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but, what are they among so many?" (John 6:8-9 KJV)

  "Then the LORD became angry with Moses. "All right," he said. "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. And take your shepherd's staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you."" (Exodus 4:14-17 NLT) 

 Keep on swimming! Don't ask me why, but that is something that just came into my head, thinking about that experiment with the rats in the barrel of water. Sometimes we just need something to encourage us to press forward, even though we might feel like giving up. Do you think that relates? or am I just too stuck in my own situation to focus upon anything else?

 Anywho; as it turns out, there actually is something here that needs to be connected to this little thing, which is actually a big thing, waiting to be go from little to big, at a moment's notice! Courage; is not something to take lightly; it is the ability to master your fear, and using fear to your advantage. How that actually works, I am still trying to figure it out. But the one thing I know, is that your perspective on a practical purpose, outside of yourself, is a very strong indicator as to where courage comes from. 

 Andrew has taken a step, although ever so slightly, into a world of the miraculous and unexpected. He might not have even known it at the time; but, just the thought of the possibilities is enough to open the door to something miraculous to happen. That is where it actually starts: by considering that it is, notwithstanding, possible! Because, with God, all things are possible! 

 I can not begin to tell you the amount of times that I have not spoken up. Call it fear of being laughed at, or just not wanting to be mistaken and look like a fool. Have you any idea of what I might be talking about? It goes way beyond the thought of solutions to situations; this is also the inclinations to pray for someone; to lay hands on someone; to actually heal someone, if that were even a possibility! 

 This is more real than we might know, but we will not know, unless we step-out in faith and get some courage! Not sure if you know this, but a little courage goes a long way; almost as if it has the ability to multiply within us; like cells of courage that multiply as they are used and put into action. If the lion face had a purpose to represent what we are in Christ, courage would be what might be represented in that face. 

 We see the face of the man, as being needy and without strength, yet the lion is courageous and will it step outside of itself...

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (Matthew 5:3 NLT)