Random Thoughts: Bread and Fish

A collection of some of my daily, random thoughts from the “feeding of the 5,000” in John 6…

• The other side of the sea and up the mountain… Or chasing after God 😊 That is what the disciples and the crowd did that day. But such is the reality of following Jesus. Not every day will be a leisurely stroll through the park. There will be days when the demands of walking in His steps will require energy and effort; patience and perseverance; determination and diligence. That is to say, it won’t always be either easy or convenient. It will be demanding, and we will find ourselves faced with the constant temptation to turn aside and turn back. “This isn’t worth all this…” The call is to keep moving forward, to follow His lead, even when it leads us along the more difficult paths in life.
• “But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what he intended to do.” Sometimes in life, God will ask us questions as part of our development and growth process. As in this case, the question itself seems utterly impossible on the surface of things. Feeding 5,000+ people with the limited resources they had at their disposal??? Impossible. Even half a year’s day wages wouldn’t suffice!!! But as is the case here, God isn’t seeking information from us. He is seeking to test us, i.e., to challenge us for the purpose of growth. The question reveals some lack in us, some need as it relates to our spiritual development. In this case, the disciples needed to learn that no matter the need, their God was sufficient to provide an answer, both in terms of public ministry and their own personal lives. The crowd would be fed, and there would be enough left over for each of the individual disciples (“… they had eaten their fill . . . filled twelve baskets with pieces . . . which were left over…”). The issue was a lack of belief and their own limited faith. What question(s) am I facing these days? What is God seeking to test/challenge in my life currently?
• “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” Answer… More than enough to satisfy the need 😊 I need to remember that it is neither the size of the seemingly impossible task nor the limitations of my own supposed sufficiency. Those considerations and constraints do not matter in the end. In the hands of God, what I have is more than enough to satisfy the need and fulfill His purposes. The crucial element is that I entrust all that I have to Him. Give it all to Him and trust Him with the results.

• NOTE: A very personal thought today, especially within the broader context of this current season of life and my recent emphasis on development aid… Query (or ask/inquire/request). Receive. Distribute. Gather. That was the process that provided the foundation for meeting this tremendous need. Such is the template for my own current search for direction regarding possible future service opportunities in this broad field of interest. When faced with a need, begin with the resources you have at hand. As noted yesterday, the need was subject to God’s grace and sovereignty. They thought it was impossible, but the young boy’s gift was more than sufficient in the hands of God. He gave it to Jesus, who in turn distributed it to the masses. The final step was diligence to ensure that there was no waste. Gather the leftovers and put them to use as well. The need was met, but at every step of the way there was a call for human agency; that is to say, people cooperated with (worked together with) God to accomplish the Divine work. As is so often the case in this world, I am intended to be His heart through the outworking of my feet and hands. Go where He directs. Do what He asks. And then watch Him work 😊
• “…after giving thanks…” It is easy to overlook both the presence and the significance of those 3 small words. But in many ways, that simple act is the cement that holds everything else together. Jesus faced the event with gratitude. Not complaints about the size and seemingly impossible nature of the challenge. Not anger over the apparent hopelessness of their lack compared to the immense need. Just gratitude for what they have in their possession and gratitude for a Father who is more than able to satisfy the need. How often do I skip this essential step in my own life? How seldom do I recognize that everything in my life, even every challenge and opportunity, is a gift from my heavenly Father? Miracles happen within the environment of grace and gratitude. Grace is God’s responsibility. Gratitude is mine.