Loaves and Fish

There is a song called "Not in a Hurry" by United Pursuit. One particular line absolutely captivates me. It says, "All I ever have is loaves and fish."

I've always been astounded by Jesus' miracles, but I've never thought of applying them to my life.

In the Bible story, the little boy has five small loaves of bread and two small fish. He could've just been lost in the crowd. I mean the story's title is "Jesus feeds the five thousand" right? So what pushed this little boy to stand up and offer his little amount of food?

Children have a way of really putting things into perspective. I doubt that he thought his food would be multiplied and would feed over five thousand people. He probably thought that he could feed a few people.

I mean it isn't radical thinking to share what you have with someone else who is in need. 

God wanted to use this little boy. He wanted to use a random, ordinary kid who had little to offer. He knew that this kid would say yes.

The truth is that we each only have a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. We can help a couple people on our own. We can share our gifts, our talents, our money, etc, yet by ourselves we still only help a few.

But when we give our loaves and fish to God, he multiplies it. What if by encouraging one person, God shows them someone that they can then encourage?

When there is a generation of followers of Jesus who give God everything they have, people are changed.

You notice, the little boy did not become the center of attention after he gave the disciples his food; he simply was a vessel of God's love. 

When we give God our loaves and fish, God's love is poured out.

It is as if our lives are a painting of God's remarkable love and creation. When we give Him the paintbrush, our lives are full of God's glory. We are simply the painting that displays the incredible love that God has for His people.

It starts with giving God our five loaves and two fish. It starts with standing up and being different. It starts with loving the one in front of you.