Tuesday, April 27th, 2021

Most of us have desires to help others in the world in some way, but many of us do not know where to start or feel unqualified to do so. The well-known story from the Bible of Jesus feeding the 5000 with nothing but five loaves of bread and two fish is a prime example of this. Can you imagine what the disciples must have thought when Jesus told them to feed the crowds, and they looked to their possessions to find resources so woefully inadequate? Their Lord just told them what to do, and they likely wanted to feed these people, but figured that the only thing they could do was to send them away because they lacked the resources accomplish Jesus’ calling. They likely felt the same as we feel when we hear God tell us to do something, but feel woefully inadequate to accomplish it. But Jesus had other plans. The Bible says, “Bring them here to me,” [Jesus] said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Never doubt your own abilities when you use them to honor God and bless others. Today, if you are seeking a way to help others but do not feel adequate enough to do so, reach out to Jesus and trust that God will provide what you need.

“As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” – Matthew 14:15-21 NIV