What do you have to offer?
by Annalene Holtzhausen
How often do we feel inadequate and not worthy enough to fulfill a task set before us? We look around and compare ourselves to others. We very easily think the other person is better equipped for the task, more experienced or just has so much more to give. We then look at what we have, decide that it’s not good enough and withdraw – back into our ‘safe’ place.
The verse above refers to one of the most well-known miracles performed by Jesus. To be able to feed about 5000 people with only five loaves and two fish is humanly impossible. What a daunting task! The disciples must have thought five loaves and two fish were only a drop in the ocean.
But isn’t it wonderful that this boy was willing to bring the little he had? He wasn’t afraid of humiliation or disappointment. He was willing to bring what he had and leave the rest up to Jesus. The disciples, and probably a lot of the people witnessing this meagre offer, must have thought that the boy was being ridiculous. And the rest of this event is recorded in the Word of God for all to read about His miraculous provision!
Are you willing to bring the little you have to the feet of Jesus? Do you trust Him with what you can offer? This question does not refer to finances only, but to your giftings and talents. How often do we compare ourselves to others? We look around and judge ourselves by worldly standards. Our inner conversation evolves around ourselves and we come to the conclusion that what we have is inadequate. We decide that our giftings and talents are not good enough, because someone else seems better at whatever it is we feel we can do. So we retreat.
God blessed all of us with a unique gifting and place in this world – all we have to do, is to trust Him with it. Even if it is something that takes time to develop we still need to bring the little we have to His feet. We need to patiently persevere, to put one step in front of the other, to allow Him to guide us and to trust His plan for each of us in this world.
It’s important to realise that the enemy will try to dissuade us. He will try all his tactics to keep us in hiding – through fear of rejection, fear of man, fear of failure, timidity, false humility - even through pride. We need to ask the Lord for discernment in this area of our lives too – we must allow God to show us the lies in our minds and the deceptive ways of the enemy. The Lord is not asking us to be experts in every area before He can use us. He’s asking for humble trusting hearts, for willingness to bring what we have. The rest is up to Him – isn’t that actually a very comforting thought? There’s no pressure on us to do the miracle – the glory is the Lord’s!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing me with unique giftings and talents. Please help me to trust You with what I have to offer – even if it is 2 fish and 5 loaves. Help me to not get caught up in myself Lord, but to shift my gaze to You. May whatever I do, Father, be to glorify only You. Amen.
Annalene Holtzhausen is on the Associate Team at Ellel, Africa. She is married to Renier, who introduced her to Ellel Ministries. She is a full-time mother to their two boys. Her passion is for the restoration of women’s hearts and for people to find their worth in the Lord.
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