“He saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?’ He said, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see…’ They said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down by hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, said a blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. He divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who ate were five thousand men.” Mark 6:34-44
A frenzied day, attempted but thwarted rest, and pressing crowds set up a powerful miracle and lesson from their Teacher. What the disciples saw as an unsolvable problem Jesus met with compassion and possibility. The Rabbi, wearied or grieved or spent as He may have been, made the most of the situation for the most good for His disciples. (Mark 6:30-33)
Jesus is always challenging His followers to think differently. The flesh that always cries for more is wired to dwell on what we don’t have, not what we do. The Shepherd of our souls positions us to call on and offer what He has given, however inadequate we deem it, then trust and watch what He can do. Imagination, gifts, resources, when employed for Him, are multiplied by His hand and purpose. Worry becomes thanksgiving, little becomes much, lack becomes fulfillment. (Proverbs 30:15-16; 1 Peter 2:25)
What is the Spirit nudging me to employ or give over for His blessing and benefit of others? What meager or much will I offer Jesus for His handling and multiplication? What comparisons, insecurities, or selfishness can I renounce so the Lord can be magnified through exercise of His gifts? In what new area or situation might He want to use my willingness? (James 1:17)
“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)
Amen.
As the rain and snow 