I Only Have …

“And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.”” Matthew 14:17-18 NKJV

For a quick refresher, Jesus’ disciples were confronted with an impossible situation, and they knew it. 5000 men, along with their wives and children needed a meal, in a time and place without Door-Dash or Uber Eats. When the disciples presented Jesus with the situation, Jesus said, “You feed them.” The disciples explained, “I don’t think You understand Jesus, we only have a few Ritz crackers and some sardines!” (Becky’s translation).  Jesus replied, “Bring what you have to Me.”

I know … it’s unlikely we’ll ever need to feed a stadium full of hungry folks. Yet, each of us are faced with our own versions of circumstances when “all we have,” isn’t enough. When we look our trial full in the face and know we lack what it takes to walk through it or fix it.

Times, when the diagnosis has been confirmed, when the divorce papers have been signed, when the casket lid has closed, when depression engulfs us or when the 2am phone call comes … when we face our own version of “I only have…”  What do we do? We give Him what we have. Trusting Him with the impossible.

Even when we only have …

Brokenness.

Disappointment.

Fear of what if.

Heartache.

Failure.

Rejection.

Questions.

Just enough.

Shattered expectations.

We give Him what we have as an act of trust. Lifting our hands in whispered prayer, “Here it is, Father. All that I have is Yours. Make a way where there seems to be no way, I turn this over to You.” Without attempting to figure out how He can possibly “feed 5000” with our meager, hot-mess offerings, we simply trust Him. Once we’ve given all we have to Him, let’s open His Word. For encouragement, Psalms anywhere will do. For wisdom, Proverbs is our go-to place. Let’s intentionally listen for His voice of direction or comfort or even conviction. In His great faithfulness, He will meet our needs in ways that are beyond our imagination.

In the end, Jesus not only enabled the disciples to feed all the folks in need, but just to show us how He delights in moving on the behalf of those who wait for and trust Him, there were 12 baskets of sardines and crackers left over! A gift basket for each disciple.

Let’s be willing to offer Him what we have, and He’ll turn our crumbs into a feast of His faithfulness for all to see.

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life.

– Bill Gather (Something Beautiful song lyrics)

Father God, I offer back to You all I have – my meager strength, lack of wisdom and hot-mess situation … and thank You ahead of time for doing the impossible. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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