Faith in the Middle: Finding Rest and Purpose in the Everyday Journey
Most of life isn’t lived at the finish line or the starting gate; it’s lived right in the middle—filled with ebbs and flows, heartbreak and joy, and everything in between. The book of Matthew chapter 14 provides a powerful lens for navigating this reality.
In this passage, Jesus models a faith that sustains us not just through the crises, but through the long haul.
From Mourning to Miracles: The Context
We pick up the story shortly after the somber execution of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and forerunner. Jesus withdraws in sadness, just as he wept for Lazarus.
Yet, immediately following this deep grief, we see the remarkable miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (likely 10,000+ when counting women and children).
This sequence offers our first profound insight: Great ministry and God moments can flow from great mourning.
When we walk through deep sadness, God often uses those very moments to perform miracles or use our story to encourage others. We serve a God who brings beauty for ashes, transforming our deepest valleys into opportunities for His glory.
Living with Faith in the Middle
The ministry of Jesus is in full swing around the Sea of Galilee—a hub of Roman and Jewish life, filled with teaching, opposition, breakthroughs, and miracles. As we observe the events of Matthew 14, we are reminded that, as believers, we are called to keep moving, keep going, and keep living for God in every season, despite whatever challenges we face.
Here are two key takeaways from the passage about sustaining a vibrant faith in the “middle years” of our lives.
Key Lesson 1: Choose Solitude Over Success
After Jesus feeds the thousands, a wave of excitement ripples through the crowd. John’s Gospel tells us they wanted to take Jesus by force and immediately crown him king.
Imagine the opportunity: mass influence, immediate political power, and a chance to kick out the Roman occupiers. It was a massive temptation toward worldly success.
But Jesus makes an unexpected move. He:
- Immediately sends his disciples away in a boat.
- Dismisses the massive crowd.
- Goes up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
This is a critical moment. The temptation wasn’t from the devil in the wilderness; it was the temptation of immediate applause and premature kingship.
Jesus chose solitude over opportunity. He chose prayer over publicity and fame. He chose rest and intimacy with his Father over being crowned too soon.
When things are going incredibly well—when we’re on the mountaintop—that is often when we are most vulnerable to falling or making a “dumb decision.” Jesus knew His mission involved the cross and perfect divine timing, not leveraging this moment of fame. He models the wisdom of withdrawing even at the peak of success.
Key Lesson 2: Embrace the Rhythms of Rest
The second major lesson is simple yet challenging: We must learn to rest.
If you don’t build a regular rhythm of solitude, prayer, and rest into your life, you might not last long-haul as a believer. Standing the test of time, trials, and troubles requires sustained spiritual energy.
Followers of Jesus find a consistent rhythm of hard work followed by intentional moments of solitude in God’s presence to recharge.
It’s important to note when Jesus rests: Before he meets his disciples on the lake (and walks on water), he meets with his Father. The miracle is preceded by time in God’s presence.
This rhythm is crucial: He often withdrew to pray. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed this regular rhythm of rest and solitude, how much more do we?
Reflection Questions:
- Are you currently prioritizing rest and solitude in your life?
- How can you incorporate a more intentional rhythm of recharging in God’s presence this week?
Living in the middle of life requires intentionality. By following Jesus’ example of prioritizing intimacy with the Father over worldly success and making rest a non-negotiable rhythm, we can navigate any season with sustained faith and power.