Welcome to our weekly Friday Check-in for January 10th, 2025 ✅
If you are new to Soul Care, WELCOME!! We are so glad you are here. We have a weekly rhythm of checking in together on Fridays. We use Mindy Caliguire's Page, Person, Plan framework to create a weekly rhythm and prepare ourselves for Sabbath rest.
Are you starting this year tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Jesus says, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life” (Matt. 11:28).
Take the next several minutes to “get away” with Jesus. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted, whether that’s going for a walk, shutting your office door and silencing your phone, or hiding in a prayer closet. Ask Jesus to be with you and guide this time of reflection and prayer...
Let's begin with,
Page: An Invitation to Reflection
Today, read John 6:1-14 (The Message):
After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.
When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do. Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”
One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.” They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves. The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, “This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!”
Spend a few minutes journaling in response to this passage:
- What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
- As you read through it a second time… ask God, “to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?”
- And as you read a third time, be asking God, “Is there an invitation for me?” Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?
Next up is,
Person: An Invitation to Connection
Where do you need Jesus’ provision right now, especially in your relationships? You might simply need to sit with the question “what do I need today?” for a while. If you don’t know that’s ok! Naming your needs is hard but powerful and God wants to hear it from you.
Take a minute to surrender what comes to mind and pray for your relational needs and the needs of others.
Finally we have,
Plan: An Invitation to Intention
In today’s passage, a huge crowd pursued Jesus. Why? Because of the miracles he performed. And then, they became recipients of a miracle - bread and fish for ALL! A tangible need met in a divine way.
Let’s meditate on the word miracle this week... Holy intervention. Something only God can do. Extraordinary. Heaven on earth.
A few questions for reflection:
- How often to you “get away” with Jesus? How often would you like to?
- What are you pursuing? Why?
- What miracle would you want to witness or receive?
- When are you most prone to “lack mentality” - there isn’t enough, resources are limited, etc? How does that effect your choices, behaviors, relationships, etc?
- By pursuing Jesus, how might you put yourself in the way of miracles?
Take time now to move from reflecting... to prayer. Use this written prayer, if helpful:
Holy God, You know what I need and what my loved ones need. I name some of those things now... Thank You for hearing my prayers and performing miracles in my life every day. Thank you for your protection and provision. Just the fact that I woke up this morning and can take a breath is a gift from You. Help me to never take my life and loved ones for granted. Help me to always stand in faith and keep my focus on You when unexpected circumstances arise. Keep me in the way of Peace, Hope, and Love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thanks for checking in today. Blessings!