When not enough equals enough!
by Andy Taylor
The amazing story of how Jesus fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish is a personal favourite for many. It`s hard for us to truly understand how the disciples must have felt, when they looked out at the huge crowd, with the words of Jesus ringing in their ears, `You feed them!` From both a physical and practical point of view it was totally impossible – Jesus was well aware of this. He wanted to show the disciples more of who His Father really was.
At the end of their searching for food they were a long, long way short of their target. Yet Jesus was not fazed by this at all. He didn`t complain to His Father about their seeming lack of provision, or tell the disciples to go back out and find some more food. He certainly didn`t look at the practical, realistic viewpoint and tell the people to go home and find their own food. He looked at the situation from God`s point of view, where nothing is impossible, and simply took the loaves and the fish, looked toward heaven and asked God`s blessing on what they did have. The rest was up to His Father. It was, without question, a dramatic miracle – and a giant learning curve for the disciples.
Maybe God is challenging you in your life or ministry. Maybe you`re being asked to do something `impossible`. You may not have enough provision. You may be a long, long way short. But, according to this Bible story, that`s not the point. Having done your part, take what you do have, look toward heaven and ask God`s blessing on it. He`s the One who will bring the increase and cause the miracle. Remember, we serve a God who loves to prove that He is who He says He is!
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your amazing provision for the people in this story. Help me to be trusting of you, even when things look impossible. In Jesus` name. Amen.
Andy Taylor is Director of Ellel Grange, UK National Director and is a member of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries. He joined the team in 1991 and has served the Lord at Ellel Ministries centres in the UK, Australia and the USA. Andy is married to Cath and they have three boys.
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