5 Loaves and 2 Fish

This week has simultaneously been one of the best and worst weeks of my life for a variety of different reasons. It has been both fun and frustrating, both exhausting and encouraging. 

I've experienced a lot of spiritual warfare as the enemy has tried to stop the amazing ways God has been working this week. As I was praying through some difficult things on Tuesday, I was reminded of a story God placed on my heart recently. 

The Bible tells the story of how Jesus once took a little boy's faith and used his gift to feed thousands. While Jesus was preaching to a large crowd, his disciples realized that the crowd was getting hungry and they had no food to give them. As they quietly discussed what to do, a little boy approached them and offered what he had—only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The disciples were doubtful that this would be worth anything, but Jesus surprised the crowd with a miracle. He multiplied the little bit of food that the boy offered into enough food to feed the entire crowd until they were satisfied—and there was still plenty leftover!

This week, I was starting to feel like the disciples with a hungry crowd to feed and no idea how to do it. I was overwhelmed and feeling like I was failing at managing the chaos in my life. But then I was reminded that I'm not supposed to do this life alone! So instead of wallowing in the shame and inadequacy I felt, I prayed this prayer: 

“Jesus, I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job on my own strength. I need you to come and have your way in my life this week. Here’s the little bit I have in my hands. I pray that you would take my gifts and use them to bless others for your kingdom in a bigger and better way that I could even imagine.” 

There wasn't an immediate change in my life circumstances, but my perspective changed almost instantly. God opened my eyes to see a small glimpse into the good, good plans he has for me—even in the middle of so much chaos. 

And the same is true for you: God can do amazing things when you offer him just a little faith. So next time you start to feel overwhelmed or inadequate, don’t be afraid to show up anyways. Come to Jesus in your vulnerability and unpreparedness, offer him the little bit that you have in your hands, and trust that he can (and he will!) multiply your gifts for a greater impact than you could even imagine. 

God can do so much more with your 5 loaves and 2 fish than you ever could with a whole feast on your own.