John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

I’m sure Jesus felt like He was beating His head against a wall in all of this. The people talking to Him were totally fixated on physical, material things, having eaten the bread that He had multiplied in the first part of this chapter, and that made them unable to really hear and understand what He was saying to them. We are actually much the same way, getting all wrapped up in temporal issues and totally losing sight of eternity. Jesus’ famous answer to that is, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) We give that verse lip service, but turn around and ignore it in daily living. It seems like virtually all of mankind is divided into either a total works mentality or a complete entitlement mentality. Neither of those fits what Jesus says here. If we really believe in Him, then we will know that our work is never sufficient, but His grace is all we need. (2 Corinthians 12:9) At the same time, our response to His loving grace will be to submit everything we have and are to Him so that His purposes may be accomplished through us. (Ephesians 2:10) Anything less is not really believing in Him.

And may I say, Ouch! Any time I declare God’s truth I have to recognize that I fall short in fulfilling it. That’s never to be an excuse for giving up, because He is continually working in me, and what I cannot do, He certainly can. (Philippians 2:13) However, I am to keep watch over my heart and seek to root out all the thoughts and motivations that are unworthy of Him who died for me. And I’ve got plenty of those left! The power is all God’s, but I am accountable for how I cooperate with what He is doing in and through me. I need to remember Paul’s admonition: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) That is what faith is all about.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the good first day of the gallery show yesterday, and for getting us through it. Thank You that we can go to the hospital this morning for the check on Cathy’s broken elbow, before then going back to the gallery. Help us remember that just as You got us through everything yesterday, You will get us through everything today. Thank You that You always supply enough time to do everything You want us to do. Help us remember that in practical terms, and indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!