“How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” (Mark 8:4 NLT)
This was the question Jesus’ disciples asked Him when He told them to feed the huge crowd that had been with Him for three days. If I were in the disciples’ sandals, I’d be thinking that Jesus was telling me to do the impossible—feed thousands of people in a remote wilderness location, with almost no access to food. When you think about this in context, it’s no wonder His disciples asked the question about finding enough food to feed such a massive crowd.
Maybe you would ask similar questions or make comparable statements in seasons and situations of intense lack:
“How am I supposed to pay all these bills when I have so little money?”
“I’m so tired that I can’t find any more energy to finish this task.”
“I can’t figure out enough solutions to resolve the abundance of problems.”
In reply to these questions and what Jesus’ disciples asked, He answered, “How much bread do you have?” This question is the turning point for every scenario of lack.
What do you have?
So often, when we are in a season or situation of lack, the deficiency can eclipse or obscure what we do have. But Jesus’ question can help us to shift our focus away from scarcity and identify possible provisions, starting with what we have rather than being swallowed up by what we lack.
When I think about this shift in paradigms, I’m reminded of some examples in the Bible of people who chose to take the little they had and let God participate in their provision. Consider these individuals and situations:
· Jacob working for his father-in-law to acquire not only his wives and kids but also vast amounts of wealth (Genesis 30:25-43). Jacob’s hard work was the seed he employed in connection with God’s favor and multiplication. When Jacob left his father-in-law, he was abundantly wealthy.
· David killing Goliath the giant with only a rock and a slingshot (1 Samuel 17). David’s rocks and his confidence in God’s power were the catalyst for an overwhelming victory in the face of certain defeat.
· A widow’s last remnants of oil and flour that don’t run out, based on Elijah’s instructions (1 Kings 17). This widow obediently trusted God with her little and last provision, thereby letting God become her ultimate provider. The flour and oil didn’t run out.
· The widow of a prophet who was about to lose her sons to creditors. Elisha asked her what she had in her house, and she replied that the only thing left was a flask of oil (2 Kings 4). This little amount of oil was supernaturally multiplied to pay off the creditors and provide a living for the widow and her sons.
· A few loaves of bread and a couple of fish were multiplied on two occasions during Jesus’ ministry, to feed several thousand people and have abundant leftovers (Matthew 14:13-21 and Mark 8:1-9).
So in situations and seasons of scarcity, let’s remain determined to focus on what we have—even if it seems like it’s not enough—in contrast to the overwhelming needs. Furthermore, let’s remember to bring to Jesus whatever we have (talents, small provisions, limited time, hard work, etc.) and invite Him to participate in our lives. Jesus can multiply what we have to become more than enough!
