The Power of Foresight!

” Jesus and his disciples went away to Lake Galilee, and a large crowd followed him. They had come from Galilee, from Judea, from Jerusalem, from the territory of Idumea, from the territory on the east side of the Jordan, and from the region around the cities of Tyre and Sidon. All these people came to Jesus because they had heard of the things he was doing. The crowd was so large that Jesus told his disciples to get a boat ready for him, so that the people would not crush him.” Mark 3:7-10 GNT

By the response of our Lord Jesus to the teeming population of the crowd that came to Him, I could see the beauty of foresight and proper planning in the arrangements He asked His disciples to make for Him. The crowd was gathering as they heard of the things Jesus was doing. He had what they needed and as they heard that people were encountering the solution to their challenges and needs, more people trooped towards Him. In the Church and in the world, people will troop to those that have what they believe they need.

I was particularly drawn to the way our Lord Jesus planned by the power of foresight in response to the growing crowd. I love to study the way people respond to situations and I could see the wisdom of the Ancient of Days in display. Jesus is mighty and powerful and, in all possibility, he could nullify the power of the crowd but because He was in human form, He demonstrated to us the need to be wise and intentional about planning and saving yourself from being crushed under the weight of your assignment. I could see the power of foresight in display.  I see here the need to properly plan towards avoiding catastrophe. How would it have been if the crowd stampeded Jesus! That is unimaginable! However, He showed us the power of planning ahead of time. Verse 9 says  “The crowd was so large that Jesus told his disciples to get a boat ready for him, so that the people would not crush him” The reason for making arrangements for the boat was so that the people would not crush Him. He had foreseen “the possibility of being crushed” and then made preparations to avert that.

As believers, we must not be void of understanding and the ability to make long-term preparations. We must not be careless. We must be able to see far and plan ahead. We must be people of foresight. Don’t be caught unawares by the issues of life especially those that can pose a threat to us in various ways. Don’t be void of understanding as to live carelessly until negative things catch up with you. Put things in place to mitigate the negative impact of whatever it is you are doing: whether in ministry or secular jobs. Make good plans for yourself so you can continue to be relevant and you don’t quench before time. Such plans may include you moving a little way back from whatever you are involved in as Jesus did, and stepped into the boat so He could move away from the crowd. By all means, do not let “the crowd” stampede you. Do not let the weight of your responsibilities overrun your life; if you must continue. “The crowd” could be your studies, family, job, professional, business or ministry responsibilities.  If “the crowd” stampedes you, you may become irrelevant afterwards and they will seek someone else who has what they need. Understand that you cannot love nor care for “the crowd” more than Jesus did in His earthly ministry. Make plans by the wisdom of God to keep yourself relevant- take care of your physical, mental and spiritual health. Take occasional breaks as you step away from “the crowd.”

As we journey into another beautiful year, may we be baptized with divine wisdom as we advance in life and ministry. May you & I pay every necessary attention such that we do not allow “the crowd” crush us going forward in life and purpose. May God in His mercy shield us from the negative weight that “the crowd” may bring along our paths. May God Himself make arrangements of the boats we need in order to escape the weight of “the crowd”. Amen!

© Funmi Adebayo