Each of my novels takes one of Christ’s miracles and puts it in the hands of a mere mortal. None of them do miracles intentionally, they just seem to have this ability that manifests itself when the time is right.
And so I’ve read and reread the accounts of walking on water, feeding the five thousand, and the catch of fish (there are two of them). Which made something Francis Chan wrote in his book Crazy Love really jump out at me. He was talking about the time Jesus turned a little boys lunch into enough food to feed thousands of people.
“Imagine if the disciples had simply held onto the food Jesus gave them, continually thanking Him for providing lunch for them.”
The disciples found food that would have provided them–just them–with an adequate lunch. How tempting would it have been to think that Jesus had made sure there was just enough to feed his helpers? His disciples? The rest of the people could have gone back home to eat. From an earthly point of view it might even seem ideal. Send the people away–give Jesus a break and the disciples a chance to eat–then preach more another time. Perfect. Thank you Father!
But that wasn’t the plan. The plan was crazy, impossible, inexplicable. The plan was to feed everyone with next to nothing. How many times have I thanked God for what he’s given me and then just tucked it away for myself? Oh, I’m appreciative. I thank God all the time. But maybe he isn’t looking for appreciation. Maybe he’s looking for action.
- How can I multiply the money he’s given me?
- How can I multiply my talents?
- How can I multiply my time?
- How can I multiply his love for me?
- How can I multiply this teensy mustard seed of faith?
I’m still figuring all of that out. But I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than saying, “thanks.” I’m pretty sure I need to DO something with all those gifts. And I can’t wait to see how God will multiply them when I do.
I know all about the sharing of loaves and fishes and miracles. I’ve had the chance to be a part of the giving, and of the receiving. I love that God never does what we think would be cool, He does what we know is impossible. I love that He uses His children to be answers to the prayers they send in silence, or out loud.
For me, it’s listening to the nudges of the Spirit. The emails or phone calls that begin with me saying “I don’t know why I’m supposed to say this…”
I love being part of His plans. And I’m thankful to be His child.
AMEN!
I’ve found out that I tend to give the most when I have the least. It’s like JC comes up and says, “You can do a lot with a lot – what can you do with nothing?”
It’s a stretch. Sometimes all I have to give is compassion. But the point is looking past myself.
Eric Greitens put it beautifully in his book “The Heart and the Fist”. He worked in various humanitarian causes (Bosnia, Rwanda, India – with Mother T) until he realized that just helping the hurt isn’t enough. You have to STOP the hurt before it happened. So he joined the Navy, and became a SEAL officer.
Going through a training evolution called Hell Week, he hit his lowest point when he focused on how tired he was – how, given the rare opportunity for rest – he couldn’t sleep. It was so unfair! he was so tired!
And then he thought of the men in his boat crew, the enlisted men who he was to lead, even in training – and in focusing on their welfare he lost himself, and found the strength to go on.
I think that is the miracle – the change from our viewpoint to JC’s. Looking out, not in.
Oh yes, the never ending quest to stop gazing at my own bellybutton. Thanks for the awesome example!