And Jesus Said “YOU DO THIS”. Thoughts from Edges while following JESUS.

You DO This
Collective thoughts from Pastor Calvin Cook
August 22, 2025

Sometimes it is hard for me to get my thoughts, visions, dreams, ideas into one central theme. I’m sorry for those close to me that I exhaust. I just feel that the mission of God is so very, very important for our time and that time will soon be fleeting and life on this earth will be no more.

This is the reason in this season of my devotional life that I have been called into this remembrance of being and thinking what it means to be “All In for Jesus”. With that is coming to the place as I shared earlier this week that everything should be not only in the name of Jesus but for the glory of God –

Back too this morning, I have been drawn to pray for the doubters. The ones, myself many times included who are doubting. I never doubt the existence of God but many times my vision is clouded to see God moving, working, and being. I allow my own expectations and mindset to cloud that vision. I didn’t think this would turn into public confession.

But seriously, do we pray with expectancy of answered prayer? Do we serve to please God and be kingdom builders? Are we completely following directions or trying to make short cuts or avoid?

While thinking and praying while seeking guidance through some of these thoughts this morning the story of the “Feeding of the Five Thousand” came to mind. The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is recounted in all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14). It describes Jesus miraculously multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of over five thousand men, plus women and children.

We will not go through the whole story – you should know it, but one verse especially jumped out at me while reading. “But Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” Luke 9:13

Here is what it really spoke to me: The Disciples came with a problem. A large crowd had followed Jesus to a remote place. Evening came the crowds were hungry and there was limited resources. Yet Jesus made a way. But… Jesus didn’t just say I’ll take care of it, he placed responsibility back on the disciples “You give them something to eat.” In today’s words we would probably say when there is a workable solution “You DO It”.

The Disciples came to Jesus with a concern; the people were hungry. The Disciples response would have been to send the crowd’s home. I almost see Jesus saying, “ye of little faith”, “I am going to do something great here and you are going to have a part in it.” The Disciples listened and carried out exactly Jesus’s directions. All were fed and there were leftovers. All of this happened because the Disciples didn’t take the easy way out. They were all in, fully devoted, and willing to carry it all through.

Fast forward to today – I believe Jesus is still saying “I have made a way”, “I have given you instructions”, “Now do it”. If you need a reminder of this read the Great Commission. So, what are you going to do about it? Stay in your prayer room without putting feet or motion into your prayers. Keep avoiding seeing the hurting who are looking to see Jesus in you, and you are what you say you are.
Allowing Jesus first place in your life. Or are you going to continue in the same way and complain about how bad the world has become.

Now pray – just sit and lay it all before the Lord – and hear Jesus saying “You DO IT”