Bring What You Have

From Rich Carroll:

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd... By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to Him.   "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat'.  But He answered, "You give them something to eat". (Mark 6:34-37)
 
Jesus here demonstrates compassion for the people (5,000) who have followed Him into this remote location in Israel.   His closest disciples realize the crowd's real need for food and appeal to Jesus to send them away while it is still light so they can find and buy themselves something to eat.  That sounds reasonable, right?  It also, possibly, provides a needed break from the crowds and their demands upon Jesus and His men.  But, our Lord has another idea.  "You feed them," He tells his disciples.  We can imagine the look on Phillip, Peter, and John's faces as they try to comprehend what Jesus is telling them to do.  "Say what?" 
 
After listening to their logical answer as to why this would be impossible Jesus simply asks them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And they, probably with shaking heads, obediently go and check the status of their "pantry".  They return, maybe satisfied inwardly that they are no closer to feeding this crowd than before, and announce to the Lord their findings:  "Five loaves and two small fish".  And, to their utter amazement, Jesus simply gives thanks to the Father for the food and, before their eyes, it multiplies to feed 5,000 men (and maybe women and children too) with plenty of leftovers!  
 
I believe Jesus, our Lord, is patiently teaching them to trust Him no matter what the seemingly impossible situation before them may be.  Bring what you do have, no matter how small or insignificant it is in your estimation.  Jesus, utterly dependent on the Father for everything He speaks and does, points His followers to the Source of "every good and perfect gift..." (James 1:17). Bring it to me and I will multiply it to accomplish my good purposes.  No gift or ability in our lives, no matter how small or seemingly inadequate, is too small for Jesus to use. 
 
Do you think that you don't have anything useful to give or do during this national pandemic?  Bring what you do have to Jesus and yield your heart and gifts to Him.  Look for the doors He will open.  Then, in trust, step out in obedience and give them.   "For God so loved the world that He gave..."