You’re Part of the Process

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.  Matthew 14:15-20 ESV

After hearing that John the Baptist had been killed, Jesus pulled away from the town. The crowds followed him because they had heard about his miraculous powers. It was their need that drove them. Moved by compassion, Jesus taught them and healed the sick among them. After a very long day, the disciples realized that the multitude were tired and hungry and that they were in the middle of nowhere. No Circle K!

Jesus took the opportunity to show how ministry works. First, someone identifies a problem. Thank God for that! That’s where it starts. Jesus then responds with instructions: ‘You feed them.’ They immediately point out that they don’t have the resources to do so. He tells them to gather what they do have and bring it to him. He blesses it and gives it back to the disciples. They are then tasked with delivering the food to the people.

We all want the final result, but we usually give up long before reaching the ‘all ate and were satisfied’ stage. Thank God, the disciples were concerned about the people’s welfare and recognized the problem. Their solution was kind of lame, but at least they approached the Lord with the issue. He responded by asking them what they had available. The key to every miracle is to identify what you have and take it to the Lord. Then he can multiply your resources, provide anything or anyone you need and send you back with the answer.

As we head to the meeting of the saints, which we often call church, let’s take a moment to recognize our role in ministry. Some of us are going because we are in need of help. We hope that Jesus (or the church) will provide it. Others are committed to Jesus as our Savior, yet we haven’t learned to trust Him to solve the problems we encounter. We only have complaints and a few half-hearted suggestions. A few of us have heard from the Lord about a task he wants us to perform, but it seems far beyond our capabilities. We feel overwhelmed or inadequate.

Wherever you are, it’s OK to be there. Learn whatever lessons you can, but don’t stay there forever. Remember that Jesus and the Church are inseparable. Or maybe I should put it this way: The Church is the body of Christ. He moves through His body to touch the world. As Paul said, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT). God the Spirit is using you where you are and moving you to where he wants you to be. Cooperate!

Seeing a problem and caring enough to want to complain is proof that God wants to use you as part of the solution. Take the matter to the Lord. You can even share with Him some of your own suggestions. Take time to review what you have on hand. You have gifts, you have resources, you have skills, you have relationships, you have time and breath and a Bible. Offer what you have to Him, then do what He says to do. If He says, “you feed them,” you can be assured that He is going to take what you have and multiply it until all have eaten and are satisfied.