GOD GIVES IN ABUNDANCE

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I remember reading this in my children’s Bible many many years ago and imagining crumbs of bread lying all over the ground.  When Jesus performed miracles they were big! Although the disciples had to gather the pieces, the food never ran out! What?! The food wasn’t wasted.

The miracle Jesus performed is so much greater than meeting the physical needs of hunger. Twelve baskets were filled that day after the crowd had eaten “as much as they wanted.” There was always plenty right from the very beginning. God provides in abundance and it doesn’t run out.

God used an ordinary boy, with a small amount of food, and fed the crowd with nourishment that never ran out. I’m not sure about you but I get teary eyed just thinking about how good our God is. He loves unconditionally and He loves eternally. He never stops giving us what we need and when we need it.

When we are broken, let down and feeling like every direction we turn ends in heartache – God is still providing and gathering up the pieces. He provides a fullness that the world can’t fill. Nothing is wasted. And we can have all that we want.

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

The other great lesson here is the humble beginning. I often wonder what was going through the young boy’s mind when he handed over such little food. Did he expect such an amazing miracle to be performed or was he simply saying, “here you go, take what I have.”  With such a simple gift Jesus took this small gift, fed five thousand AND had food leftover.

Ladies don’t ever underestimate the gifts you have been given. When you offer your gifts to God, regardless of how small you think they are, He can take them and do extraordinary things. Sometimes we put limitations on what we think God can do because we just can’t comprehend that nothing is impossible! Our small gifts of time, talents and resources can be used in amazing ways if we just say, “here, take what I have.”

Nothing is wasted when it comes to God. I love this story so much for so many reasons. And there’s still so much more to be unpacked. Read John 6 and God will show you.

Much love from Rooted,

Heather & Lisa