Joel M Bradshaw

8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”–John 6

I remember my parents bought a children’s book version of this Bible story when I was a child. And I recall especially liking the book for they named that little boy Joel. Reading John 6 to this day I still check if that detail is in the text.

Many years later I encountered this famous passage again preaching a sermon in my church. Even though that church was very small in number they were great in faith. I remember applying the feeding of the 5000 this way: God uses what is there. Jesus used a boy’s lunch. He didn’t just make up food in the first place. Imagine how that boy felt seeing his small lunch in the hands of Jesus! God used the simple faith of a boy willing to give up the lunch his mommy packed him to feed a massive crowd.

God always uses what is there. You may not feel as impressive as others, but God is at work in your story. Stay faithful. Trust God with what you can’t control and honor God with what you can. Own what you can own in your relationships and stay humble. Be intentional about the right things each day and seek God’s glory over your own. Listen to the wise biblical mentors God has placed in your life.

God uses what is there. He never looks at you and thinks you are lacking or not enough. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14). You are his masterpiece that he has prepared good works in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

So stay faithful and trust God to use what is there. My little faithful church needed to hear that and so do you. That little boy got to see his humble offering used by Jesus. The disciples got to see Jesus provide with no excuses. The crowd was like sheep led to green pasture satisfied by their Shepherd. How can you now look at your story in the hands of Jesus?–JMB