ARE YOU A STRATEGIC PLAYER IN GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN?
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In a remote area near the village of Bethsaida, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the Twelve land their small boat. He has called His loyal apostles to come away with Him to a quiet place for some essential rest. Yet the people have heard of their retreat and have followed on foot.
Thousands gather on the hillside pastureland. Galileans young and old. Shepherds and fishermen. Families with small children in tow. All have come to listen to this Teacher who shares of an eternal kingdom of hope and salvation. All have come to see His miracles which have become the talk of the region.
Yet the crowds soon become weary from hunger. They have traveled far. There are no towns nearby where they can buy food. Few have brought along provisions. The apostles wonder how this vast multitude can be fed. For it would cost a year’s wages to feed them all.
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish…”
A young boy approaches the apostles with a basket. He sees the Teacher, one of such renown and esteem… yet who appears gentle and welcoming. He offers his basketful, his all… five loaves and two fish. It is not much. Yet he offers it with a humble and generous heart.
This young lad must have come with his parents. Perhaps these are the provisions the family has brought for the trip. The lad may or may not have had his parents’ permission to make this contribution. Yet God moves in his young heart… his responsive, amenable, unselfish heart.
“…but how far will they go among so many?” – John 6:9
This young boy recognizes a need and offers his best. We should do no less. No matter how inconsequential our role in the kingdom may seem, it is of great consequence in the eyes of God. He can use whatever we give Him for His glory.
The apostles view this meager offering with a meager faith. Yet where man sees lack, God sees abundance. We give Him what is of value to us with a humble and caring heart… our time, talents, treasures. He will take them and multiply them exponentially.
Five small barley loaves and two small fish. It is the food of the common people of the times… and it is the type of food Jesus is accustomed to eating. A simple meal… compact enough to be carried in a young lad’s basket… to feed the multitudes. Yet it is a small meal offered in great faith.
This is the young boy’s contribution to the kingdom of God. He watches keenly as the Teacher looks to heaven… asking the God of infinite resources to bless his own finite, modest offering.
Imagine the impact this miracle has upon the young boy. With wide-eyed amazement, he sees his humble contribution multiplied exponentially to feed thousands… satisfying and refreshing them all… and with overflowing basketfuls left over. What a life-changing encounter with this Man of miracles.
Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life, the Manna from heaven (John 6:35). He will provide abundantly over and above all that we could ever ask (Ephesians 3:20). He is the Living Bread who will refresh and satisfy His followers spiritually for all eternity (John 6:51).
No one would have thought this young boy could play a key role in the ministry of Jesus. His quiet offering that fed over 5,000 would reverberate throughout history. He would be forever remembered as a strategic player in God’s eternal plan.
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Will we offer Jesus our loaves and fish? Will we give Him our small offerings with great faith? Will we trust Him to use our best for His divine purpose and glory?
God can use anyone for His divine purposes. Each person He creates is of vast importance to Him. Each of us can, like this young boy, be used mightily by Him. We all have the potential in His eyes to be forces for His kingdom.
We never know when God will call us to join Him… or what our role will be. Yet we can offer what is of value to us, however small, with bountiful faith. Our part may seem insignificant in the vast purposes of God. Yet everyone has significance and value in His eyes. He can use us to be strategic players in His kingdom.
Lord… We come before You with humble hearts, recognizing Your mighty and miraculous power. You are a God of abundance. We give You our best… our time, talents and treasures. We ask that You use our offerings, although small, for Your great kingdom and glory. For all that we have and all that we are, comes from You. Lead us to become a strategic part of Your eternal plan. Thank You for Your gracious presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
