Imagine a young boy had come with his mom to follow this Teacher around. They ended up on a hill, listening to him teach and watching him heal for hours. It was getting late, he was starving and could hear his moms stomach rumbling with hunger, though she wouldn't say. He checks his bag and counts 1..2..3..4..5 small loaves of bread and just 2 fish, all they could spare from home for their journey.
He's not sure when they'll get food again and it's a long journey home. A small voice inside tells him to offer his fishes and loaves to The Teacher but he's hungry, his mom's hungry, it's not even enough to feed Jesus and his disciples let alone this huge crowd. But despite all these doubts he grabs his bag and walks over to one of the disciples, telling him; "I have five loaves of bread and two fish. I know it's not much but you can have it."
The disciple brings the boy to Jesus and tells Him how much food he has. Then asks "What good is that with this huge crowd?" The boy's embarrassed that he even offered such an insignificant amount. But Jesus just looks at him with a warm smile, thanks him for bringing the food, and says to trust Him. The boy doesn't know how his bread and fish could help but he trusts that The Teacher knows what he's doing.
Jesus gives thanks to God for the food and distributes it, as it multiplies, to feed all 5,000 people with leftovers. So not only was the boy filled but the whole crowd was filled because he allowed God to use what little he had.
Oftentimes we can think God can't use us because we don't have enough to offer. But God is not limited by what we think or feel and He has given each one of us a special and unique purpose. We each have been put in a place to use the gifts God gave us for his glory and maybe that doesn't always look so impressive. Maybe sometimes that's just showing up to work with a smile on your face and an unshakable joy. But you'd be surprised what God can do, not only for you but also through you, when you fully surrender to Him.
Prayer:
Thank you God for your many blessings. Thank you for always providing for us. Help us to fully surrender to you God, just use us for your glory and let your will be done in us. We just lay down our own desires, our pride, and dignity. Just empower us and give us the strength and boldness to follow wherever you lead. Help us to be faithful even when we feel like we don't have much to bring. We thank you for your goodness and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.
Verse:
"There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" John 6:9 NLT