“When evening was approaching, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Send the people away now so that they can go to the villages and farms in the area and obtain food and lodging, for we are in a deserted place.” He replied, “Give them something to eat yourselves.” They said, “All we have are five loaves and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were present about five thousand men. Then he instructed his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty.” They did so and made them sit down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute among the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up what was left over—twelve baskets of fragments.” Luke 9:12-17
Which are you in this event? Are you the disciple coming forward, dejected because what you have is not enough to complete the task?
Mother Therese of Calcutta, Mother Angelica, Saint Therese of Lisieux, St. Peter – all were asked “Give them something to eat yourselves.” All could look around with wonder, “what do I have that can feed so many?” And walk away dejected that too much was asked of them.
This isn’t what they did though. Mother Angelica built a Catholic media giant from seeds. Mother Theresa built an order that has changed India and the world. St. Therese, a little cloistered nun, became the patron saint of missionaries and led the world to the ‘Little Way’. We all know Peter stepped up to become the first pope and lead all the world to Jesus through the Catholic Church.
I am nothing in the grand scheme. I have less to offer Jesus than most. I am no real talents or skills, not a scholar and all the ‘I don’t and I can’t’ that I could line up.
But, I don’t look at Jesus and say, “I can’t do that” or “I don’t bring enough”. I may not be able to multiply the fish but I CAN bring them loaves and fish to Jesus in faith, knowing with my meager offerings, He CAN feed the multitudes and more.
You will never hear me saying “but, Lord…I can’t do that.. I have nothing to offer.” I will always look up to the Lord and say, “here’s what I have for You.. do what you will with it.”
The highest levels of trust are knowing we have nothing to bring, but bringing it anyways.
Do you look to the crowd of thousands and bring your five loaves and two fish knowing they will all be fed?