Work With What You Have

So, when they were filled,
He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
Therefore, they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves
which were left over by those who had eaten.
(John 6:12-13 NKJV)

We all know the story of the 5,000 people who came to hear Jesus preach. After He had spoken, He asked His disciples, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” The disciples were more than a little taken back. Seriously, where did He expect them to get food for 5,000 people? Apparently, the disciples had already forgotten the miracles they had seen Him do. We know how the story ends. Jesus took five loaves and two fish and fed the multitude.

The story of the 5,000 demonstrates how much God can do with just a little. It is important to note Jesus did not do something from nothing, although He could have. Instead, He took what the disciples had and worked with that.

So often we are overwhelmed by challenges in life, including the needs of others. In these moments, sometimes anxiety takes hold. We might think how on earth can we help? What can we say? Do we have sufficient knowledge to speak into someone’s life? What happens if they ask a question we can’t answer? What, if like me, you are shy and the thought of speaking out to someone about your faith curls your toes?

All Jesus needs us to do is to take a little step with the little we have, be it physical or spiritual, and He will go to work. When He takes anything, no matter how small, it becomes a blessing. So, offer your meager resources, whatever they are, and watch His miracle-working power spring into action.