Physically and Spiritually

The crowd had gathered and they needed both physical and spiritual food.  They were hungry…for both.  The resources to feed them were right in front of the disciples but they didn’t know it.  When Jesus asked “where” will we get the food, one of His disciples counted the money.  Jesus hadn’t asked “how” will we get the food.  Another disciple counted the loaves and fish in hand.  We all know the story, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish and fed over 5000.  He multiplied the resources in hand, met the need, with more left over than what they started with. (John 6)

In these tough economic times so many of us are faced with a similar dilemma as the disciples.  We see the needs of people “out there” and we have a desire to serve those needs.  We recognize that the “Bread of Life” will fill every spiritual hunger, but we often forget that He is also the source for filling every physical hunger as well.  For the physical we too often look to the natural and count the resources in hand only to discover that we don’t have enough.  We recognize the need, we carry the burden, we labor in figuring out solutions and we tire in our efforts and become discouraged.  Jesus didn’t ask His disciples “how were they going to buy bread” but rather He asked, “Where will we buy the bread”?  Where will the resources come from to meet the needs of hungry people?  What do we have in hand that when placed in Jesus’ hands He is able to multiply?  When I consider what needs to get done as I commit my life to the Lord, and then I look in my wallet to count what I have available to get it done, I realize that I’m short…there’s not enough to meet the need.  However, when I remember that the work is the Lord’s work and I am being given opportunity to partner with Him in it, not expected to be the one to provide for it, then I am more ready to place in His hands what I have so He can multiply it to meet the hunger of people…both physically and spiritually!  Have a great day Fully Ignited!  Mike