Read Mark 6:33-44. Give Me What You Have, And I’ll Use It.
Jesus had encouraged his disciples to isolate themselves from all their hard work in Ministry to rest and be rejuvenated. They got in a boat to go to a new location, but all these people recognized what they were doing and ran ahead to meet them. So when Jesus and his disciples came ashore, Jesus saw thousands upon thousands of people and felt COMPASSION for them because they were like SHEEP without a SHEPHERD (the Greek word for Shepherd means one who greatly cares for his flock). So driven by compassion, Jesus began to minister again through teachings.
When it became late, the disciples said to Jesus, it’s late and we are in a desolate area. They told Jesus to send the people away so they could go get something to eat from a surrounding countryside or village. Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat.” Well that’s stupid! The disciples didn’t say that but I’m sure they thought it. How could they get enough food to feed around 15,000 people? Jesus gives them good advice. Find out how much food we have to work with. There were five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took what they had, blessed it, and as a result there was enough food to feed everyone with 12 baskets of leftovers.
I remember when I worked at the lumberyard, when it was our half hour lunch break, or 15 minute morning or afternoon break, the workers stopped working. That was their time for a break and they took that break time very seriously. As if to be saying, “Don’t even ask me to do anything on my break.” Our boss had an order that needed to go out ASAP and asked for guys to help him over their break time. I’m the only one that stayed to help. I can’t even express how appreciative he was for me helping him out in this need.
Hey, there was a need!! We can’t be bound by the routines of our lives. Serious things are going to come up and rather than be bound by our routines, we have to have compassion for the needs that arise around us. We have to look at needs from a Shepherd’s perspective. A Shepherd is driven by compassion and cares A LOT about the need. I mean REALLY CARES about the need!!! Perhaps the need is overbearing and seemingly impossible. Take it to the Lord in prayer while offering what little you have, so God can bless it and do a miracle.
I’m inspired to visit in person a family who will be homeless April 17th. This family reached out to me asking what I could do to help them. I made 3 phone calls and found nothing. I’m still praying but the compassion isn’t there like it would be if it was MY NEED. I’m inspired to go to the family in person, and pray with Brokenness to God. Going in person, rather than sending a Facebook message with praying hands, I believe it will help them realize someone else is feeling their pain with love. Thank you God for speaking to my heart through your word.
