Missions and miracles go hand and hand, we suppose. In more cases that not, you need a miracle to go to missions, continue in missions, be used in missions, pretty much all things ‘missions’ related…
We have heard the stories of the missionaries who were without food and God miraculously provided a fruit truck to tip into their backyard the very hour they prayed for His provision (true story)… or of the young missionary who felt God was calling him to Australia and the next day gets a phone call of a church inviting him to speak at their conference with all expenses paid… or of a child of missionary who fell ill and when the prognosis looked bleak, the Lord displayed His awesome power and restored full health to the dying child…
I mean, we have heard the stories and we like them. They offer us hope that maybe… just maybe… we do love a God who can actually do these cool things. Perhaps He really does do miracles.
The thing with miracles is that they are needed when there is a lack. I guess, that’s what makes a miracle a miracle.
As we prepare for our mission to Belfast, and time is ticking away, we are faced with a need of a financial miracle. We lack money. Straight and simple. Most people shake their heads at us and say, “Well, we hope this works out for you but…” And trust us, we are hoping it works out too and the ‘buts’ are obvious:
1)The economy stinks and everyone is cutting back – even in giving.
2) Living in the United Kingdom is more expensive than living in Jersey …if you can believe it. Today the exchange rate is 0.65 pound for every $1 USD. Stink.
3) We are totally new at fundraising and are stumbling along the way.
4) We are 69% short in funds needed to be raised and less than 2 1/2 months left to our departure date. Wow… that’s a big lack.
We know the ‘buts’ full and well. The question is at what point do we just give up and say, “Well, we gave it a good try but…”?
So, 5 loaves and 2 fish.
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18“Bring them here to me,” he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The people were hungry…
1. But there were so many of them! There were 5000 men plus the women and children…
2. But it was getting late …
3. But they were in a remote place …
4. But all they had were 5 loaves and 2 fish…
Interesting that Jesus didn’t simply look at the evident lack and say, “Hmmm… you’re right, guys… send these folks away and direct them to the nearest place they can find some food.” Nope! Instead He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Instead of laughing at the meager supply of bread and fish He said, “Bring them here to me…”
There was a lack of food which created the opportunity for a miracle. Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and directed the people to sit down – as if by faith they were preparing themselves to be fed – to be provided for. To sit and wait for the Lord’s provision is much harder than it appears. There is a temptation to get up and leave in order to search for yourself what the thing in which you lack. The temptation to give up is always present.
After Jesus directs the people to sit down, He thanks His Father for the 5 loaves and 2 fish! He thanked Father God for the little that was in His possession. This is astounding, since often when there is lack in our lives, we can find it difficult to be thankful for what has been provided for. Here, Jesus models for us what we are to do when we are in need - give thanks to the Father for what we already have in our hands.
Well, we know the rest of the story. As Jesus broke that bread, the miracle broke out. They were able to feed all the people and all ate until SATISFIED. This miracle not only fully satisfied the need BUT there were 12 baskets of food leftover! Incredible! How many of us have heard this story a thousand times and have smiled at the fact that Jesus can cater to 5000+ people at drop of a dime BUT when we find our own selves in lack we are drenched in panic? We need a miracle. Can we sit and wait for His provision? Can we thank Him for what He has already placed in our hands no matter how little? Can we believe that He is the same today as He was that day He faced 5000 hungry men and their families and all that was available were a couple of loaves and two fish?
Pray for us. In this financial lack, we are in need of miracle. Pray that our hearts would be strengthened in faith. Pray that we would sit at His feet and wait in full belief He will provide. Pray that our hearts would be grateful, thanking Father God for all that He has already placed in our hands. Pray that we would not give up or give into discouragement. Pray that we would bring Him what we already have and not discount it but allow Him to work a miracle through what we give Him.
We will pray for YOU too – what are you in need of miracle for? Let us pray with you that He will meet all your needs!
