A’s Heavenly Downloads

Part 2 of 2

What did the story about Jesus feeding the 5000 in Mark 6:30-44 teach me about God? What did it show about ourselves -myself – and what, if anything, could I do differently as a result? 

A lot.

I thought about how, even though Jesus had initially intended to be in solitude with His disciples, He was moved with compassion and drew closer to those in need. If I had seen a large crowd in those circumstances I probably would have tried to hide, or given some excuse and ran in the opposite direction! Even if I’d stayed, I most likely would have done so reluctantly and grumbled throughout. 

But not Jesus, not our God. The story demonstrates how Jesus is all about people. He cares about all of us and our needs, even down to our meals. If we draw near to Him He comes closer. He always has time for us.

The second part of the story that stood out was Jesus’ interaction with his disciples. The disciples initially suggested sending the crowds away to find their own food. But Jesus said to them instead: “you give them something to eat”. 

The disciples questioned their ability to provide for such a large crowd, yet they obeyed anyway. That was brave. But they weren’t on their own, Jesus gave them step by step instructions. First He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” The disciples found out and reported that they had five loaves and two fish. 

Then Jesus “commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass…. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.”  The Message translation of the Bible says “they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass!”

This is the third thing that struck me: Everything God does is perfect.

He is the God of creation, of order, of beauty, not just functionality. He is not a God of chaos or confusion. He made the situation manageable for the disciples to handle, because He cares. 

God knows us, He created us – in His image. He knows what we have and what we are capable of, even when we don’t. If we surrender what we do have to God, however little, and take small steps in faith and obedience, He blesses our efforts and does so much with it. He helps us achieve amazing things.

So often we doubt, we question whether and how we will manage or get through life’s challenges. But Jesus did all the work to multiply the five loaves and the two fish, He asked the disciples to look at what they already had and guided them in an orderly way throughout. He never left them to figure it out on their own and when they followed his instructions, everyone was blessed. 

It’s also a reminder of how we are created to have a relationship with God and not do things on our own. 

But the most poignant lesson for me was how, although Jesus and the disciples were tired, they put the needs of others first, to bless them, and they in turn were also blessed with leftovers and, for the disciples, probably a sense of awe and achievement. This got me thinking about my interaction with my colleague, and whether our idea of rest is totally different to what Jesus’ idea of rest is.

Despite feeling tired and irritable, taking a little time to say a short, simple prayer seeking out God’s guidance (like “Holy Spirit please come and takeover, lead this conversation, show me what to do”) led to me giving my colleague the encouragement they needed in that moment. 

Making a choice to check in with the Holy Spirit and show love, compassion and encouragement, lifted my colleagues’ spirits and  made me feel lighter and more at peace too. To be honest it didn’t take much effort. Just a willingness to shift the  focus away from myself and how I was feeling, to God and the other person, who seemed to be in need.

It taught me the importance of laying aside my own agenda being intentionally open to what God wants to do in and through us. There are so many people in need, who we can minister to with love and compassion.

Perhaps we could give a listening ear to that extra talkative neighbour who is probably very lonely, rather than rushing past to get on with our to do lists. Or spend more time noticing and speaking to person on street, or person at the checkout and offer them words of encouragement, even if we are tired and overwhelmed with only a little energy left to give. God can multiply that energy if we give it to Him, and bless us in the process.  This isn’t something we can do on our own, in our own strength. Burnout is real. We need God’s guidance and wisdom to know when and how to act. 

So, going forward, I will continue to seek God’s direction and with His help:

1. Love others more and listen to the Holy Spirit’s nudging to be selfless and care for others.
2. Follow His leading and take one step at a time in faith, especially when things seem challenging and insurmountable.
3. Trust God to always provide. Rather than dwelling on what I lack, I can rely on Him and be thankful, because He meets all our needs.

Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Philippians 3:9 “… not having a righteousness of my own … but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needsaccording to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Stay blessed.