fish and loaves
I’ve always loved the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. It is packed full of nuggets for this heart of mine…
I’m challenged by the little boy who offered his meager lunch, confident that it would be worth something in Jesus’ hands.
I’m encouraged that the disciples’ lack of faith didn’t hinder God from doing something extraordinary.
I’m reminded that I’m only responsible for my response to the Lord’s promptings. I’m not responsible for actually making anything happen.
I’m thankful that Jesus didn’t feed the crowd just enough. He gave them “as much as they wanted”. What He offers me is always abundance.
I’m aware again that God doesn’t waste a thing. While I don’t know what Jesus did with the extras, there was definitely a purpose for them: “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.” He redeems even what appears to be a total waste.
When I’m willing to place my mere fish-and-loaves life into Jesus’ hands, miracles happen… So today I choose to actively trust Him with the crumbs of just me...
@hannahruthie says:
This was so good for my heart, Alece.
Sorry we haven’t had the chance to skype. Are you available any time this week? I think I’m finally catching up with life.
@gritandglory says:
sure! let’s try to set up a time to connect!
i wonder if all the leftover food in this story is meant to be a sort of evangelistic instruction?
it’s not just that God gives to us in abundance. it’s that there’s always room and food enough for others to join us. we ought to be bringing others to the table, never with fear of running out.
@gritandglory says:
you’re absolutely right… the abundance isn’t for our sake, but for others’…
Good way to start the week!
Love it!
@traceepersiko says:
I always get stuck on what happens when I believe. I am tired of seeing through limited eyes. Now I just need to hand over my stuff.
Alece, you just make me smile!
I’m reminded that I’m only responsible for my response to the Lord’s promptings. I’m not responsible for actually making anything happen. -Needed to hear that. Thanks :)
@sonsti7 says:
Alece — that’s one of my favorite Bible stories too. I couldn’t have said it any better than you did. Really love this! What resonated with me most this morning is when you said,
“I’m encouraged that the disciples’ lack of faith didn’t hinder God from doing something extraordinary.”
So many times I try to force the issue with God because I don’t think He can handle things without my help…how’s that for lack of faith? Other times I just don’t expect Him to show up on my behalf or on behalf of those for whom I pray — and despite my shallow well of faith — he blows my expectations out of the water; completely shuts down my second-guessing of His power; lifts my soul; makes me joy in Him with renewed certainty in His promises for me.
Thanks for a great start to my morning, Alece!
-Joel
@gritandglory says:
my faith is shaky at best, so i find great hope in this passage. great hope.
you really do need to write a devotional book.
love you.
@atangie says:
seriously.
offer still stands.
@gritandglory says:
wait… what offer?!
@atangie says:
team up to write a book together; you and me.
@gritandglory says:
ohhhhh! ;) you’re so sweet, gigi. maybe someday…
@atangie says:
Yep, someday… before I leave this thread let me tie up this loose. Lest there be any doubt; I believe in you. What’s more, I believe in the greatness of God in you. I am so very proud of you, my dear sweet friend.
@gritandglory says:
thank you, old friend. thank you.
take the offer! take the offer! ;o)
@gritandglory says:
hahaha! love you!
I love this post! So much your heart – so much the heart of the Lord!
OH WOW!
yeah… Good thoughts.
It is so disheartening to feel, “not enough.” God does not let little things like, “not enough,” stop him, does he?
@gritandglory says:
and then He blows us away with how He transforms “not enough” into “more than enough”…
Oh how I needed that today – will be reading that over and over. Thank you.
mmm mmm good.
by breaking bread together, they were able to have fellowship with each other and fellowship with Jesus. He provided them with so much more than they needed. He multiplied loaves to feed thousands and to still have left-overs. He met their physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs. He cured their hunger and gave them life. The lil boy was filled because he sacrificed his own food. Jesus wasn’t bringing in the bread so he could get filled himself. despite the disciple’s logic, Jesus could still work illogically. Jesus didn’t feed the people by his own power…he did it in fellowship with the father. [that was a lot of rando thoughts smooshed togeths. my apologies]
i’ve been stuck on john 4:34 for awhile where Jesus says, “my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
i want to recognize my need to sacrifice my nomnomnomz for His food like Jesus recognizes his need for and dependency on his father.
@gritandglory says:
i love your smooshed thoughts, coop!
You have NO idea how much I needed to read this! thank you so much!!!
i needed to hear this today more than you will ever know.
thank you.
@Melissa_Rae says:
Whe’Shen my Grandma died I wrote about this story on my blog. God showed me through that story that there are times where He asks us to give up something that’s important to us without giving us a logical reason why. That little boy couldn’t have foreseen the blessing to so many that his small sacrifice enabled. In the same way, I don’t know what the result of my willingness to trust God in the loss of my grandma will produce. The blessing might just be in myself and my spiritual growth or it could be something that touches others too. Already I’ve been able to comfort a friend as she’s walking through the loss of her grandma with the comfort God gave me. Great post, Alece!
@gritandglory says:
so appreciate your heart, melissa. thank you for sharing about your grandma’s passing, and how God spoke to you through this story at the time…
I sure hope God doesn’t waste anything. :)
Great post, Alece.
@Nomadstacey says:
Your last point hit me the hardest. Sometimes I feel like some experiences I’ve had are ‘just a waste’ because I can’t see the good in them (I guess you could say I only see the grit, and rarely see the glory..). I get frustrated that there was no purpose, no meaning, no purpose to the experience and count it as a waste. That’s all me and none of Him. I’m learning to trust God that all my experiences are for a purpose- His purpose and that should be enough for me. Nothing wasted, nothing meaningless. All for His plan…no matter how illogical that plan may be.
@ModernReject says:
This post reminded me that all too often we settle for the crumbs of God, so to speak. We take little bits of Him here and there, instead of asking for and expecting His great abundance.
I am certainly guilty of this. i ask for His leftovers at times, forgetting that He is a good father who gives good gifts to His children. He has more than crumbs for us…He has a feast.
Thanks for this post!
@gritandglory says:
oooooh – i really like what you pulled out of this! “He has more than crumbs for us… He has a feast.”
@PrudyChick says:
I’m so glad He uses our leftovers and our crumbs cause a lot of times that’s what I feel like.
I love that during moments that I might feel like a leftover or scrap, this shows that even they have a supreme purpose and are not just cast aside but gathered up and prepared for what ever it is that awaits them. Dang thats good.
@cassgirl says:
“I’m challenged by the little boy who offered his meager lunch, confident that it would be worth something in Jesus’ hands.”
I wonder about what a difference we would make, If we would just sacrafice one thing more this week more with great expectation, oh how much of a difference we would make in our families, friends, and communities?
wow what do I need to sacarfice?
your crumbs…are beautiful!
Thank you Alece. I am so thankful that I don’t have to come up with any ideas or solutions for God. I just have to bring myself open and willing. And HE will provide the answer.
meager offerings to a glorious God…
some days I pridefully think when I am offering up “just me” I am sure giving God some kind of gift. The kind of days when I choose to “think of myself more highly than I ought.”
Today, not so much. I am in that raw place, with nothing to give. And I am SO greatful that this is what Jesus wants from me. Honest brokeness with hope in the promise of redemption. I know that sin has twisted this heart, but it is not about being good or bad. It has to be about accepting life over death.
I think this comment may be a start of a blog entry, but that is for tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your insight on this passage Alece.
WOW! this is an amazing post with amazing insights! i need to chew on this for a while! thanks for sharing!!
@amykiane says:
Wow! I’ve never thought of that story in those terms before. Thank you for sharing your insights.