Hand it over

Scripture

“So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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 his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.” – Mark 6:32-44 (NIV)

Observation

Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt completely depleted, like you were ‘at the end of your rope,’ and had nothing else to give? You felt as if you were running out of options, possibilities, and patience, when dealing with a situation… waiting for a solution or relief that felt so distant. If that’s you, then you are in good company. I think we’ve all been there at some point!
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Julius discussed one of the most renowned miracles Jesus ever performed on earth — the feeding of the 5,000. What really stood out about this particular miracle was the boy who gave the little-bit of food he had, and how ‘little’ can become ‘a lot’ when we are faithful! Although the Bible depicts the story as the feeding of the 5,000, Pastor reminded us that women and children weren’t counted back then. So, that ‘feeding of the 5,000’ was significantly higher in number because, miraculously, the women and children were also fed! What is particularly beautiful about this story is that the little boy, the one who no one considered worthy, ‘the one who wasn’t counted,’ was ‘the one who was counted on’ to perform this miracle.
How many times do we feel unworthy, unfit, or depleted? Do we ever think to ourselves, 'do I even have any good to offer or bring to the table?' It is in these times — the ones when we feel we are worthless or have nothing else to give — that God is able to use us the most! He uses all of this to magnify His power and glory through YOU. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, the next time you feel like ‘you’re at your end,’ take heart, my friend… because it is that very circumstance that God is reminding you that, at the end of you… that’s where you will find Me!

Application

The above scripture displays a beautiful depiction of how the Lord will provide in all circumstances. We just have  to give him something to work with! In other words, “give God your best, while believing that He will do the rest.” The scriptures tell us that the little boy only had five loaves of bread and two fishes, yet, somehow, he never saw that as small; instead, he gave God all he had as an offering and, through his generosity, thousands of others were blessed! So, I ask today: What are your “five loaves and two fishes?” What are you giving God to work with? Whatever it is, ‘hand it over’ to God and watch Him bless you abundantly in ways you could never think or imagine.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for who You are! We thank You that You are Jehovah Jireh (the Lord who provides). We thank You that no circumstance is too great for You! We trust that You supply all of our needs and, because of that, we will never lack. We ask today, that You would strengthen our faith. May we be like that boy in the scriptures. May we present You all that we have without shame. Whether abundance or little, we know You can take whatever we offer and multiply it in ways that not only bless us, but bless those around us. Help us to ‘hand it over’ - ALL OF IT.  Whatever we are holding onto that we shouldn’t be, we release it to You now, Father! Have Your way in us and through us. May our test soon be our testimony! In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen!