Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

You know the saying, "Don't miss the forest for the trees!" It's a powerful warning to step back and zoom out to see the bigger picture of what's happening around you. For those of us who really like to see the beauty in details, we can often miss the larger story playing out, or even the higher perspective that brings all those details together.

Or maybe you're like my husband and you can miss the trees for the forest! It must be nice to only see the pie in the sky and forget there are any details at all!

We see this cliche clearly playing out here in Mark 8.

• Even after Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish for five thousand, the disciples are puzzled about how seven loaves and a few fish can feed four thousand.
  The Pharisees have seen plenty of miracles involving real people, but they'd really like to see a more spectacular sign.
• After hearing Jesus teach and believing in Him as the Messiah, Peter rebukes the idea of Jesus being a suffering Savior.
• As the disciples spend time with Jesus and experience His miracles and teachings, sometimes they act like ... humans, shocker! It's easy for us to hold them to high standards and expect perfect holiness from them, but they are just like us – easily distracted, sometimes stubborn, and typically a few steps behind. And the Pharisees?! They might as well be called Bible Belt Christians.

Here's the point – we can be right up in the middle of Jesus' work and miss Jesus Himself. Yikes.

The disciples did it over and over again. They walked with Jesus, they performed miracles alongside Him, they witnessed His power ... and they missed the point that Jesus was in their midst. The Pharisees had every bit of proof that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, but they kept asking for more and more.

As you walk through the New Testament in this year's reading plan –or even as you walk through your days in communion and communication with God –don't miss Jesus.

• Don't miss the miracle happening right now because you're stressed out about a long-term plan.
• Don't miss Jesus being the actual answer when you'd rather be given a five-step self-care process.
• Don't miss Jesus sitting with you when you'd rather focus on how lonely you feel.
• Don't miss the forgiveness Jesus died for because you can't rationalize how to forgive yourself.
• Don't miss the promise of Heaven while storing up treasures here on earth.

Reflection:

• Which do you get distracted by? The small details or the big picture? Intentionally think through the points above, and consider how you have missed Jesus in the past or the present. 
• Pray for God to reveal how He is working around you, and ask Him to show you how to join Him in His work!

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Mark 8

Author: Ashley Prima

Jesus wants us to trust that He will give us everything we need, even if it seems like only a miracle will work. The great news is that Jesus can still perform miracles today to meet our needs, just as He did many times in Mark Chapter 8!

Mark writes that Jesus saw that the crowd following Him was hungry, and He did not want them to go without food. Jesus saw their need, and to take care of their need, He performed a miracle. Not only was there enough food, but there was extra food left over just from the little bit of food they started with! This is just one example of how Jesus wants us to know how much He loves us and how we can trust Him to provide for us!

• How do you serve the people around you? Do you help your parents around the house or serve classmates by helping them when they are struggling? How can you serve the people around you this week?
• Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for teaching me how to live. Thank You for reminding me that You love me and that I need to have faith in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.