Matthew 14:17-18

“They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”

Just the other night before bed I read my two older boys the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.  I am sure many of you are more than familiar with the story.  While preaching to a large crowd, dinner time approached.  With no food readily available for such a sizeable crowd, Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish and miraculously He transformed that modest amount of food into enough to feed the entire crowd, with an additional 12 baskets of leftovers.  To be completely honest, it is a story that many of us have heard so many times that in its familiarity we often read through it without giving it too much thought, at least I know I do.  However, for me, reading it this time was different. 

As I read verses 17-18, where Jesus tells the disciples to bring Him the five loaves and two fish that were available, I was suddenly struck by how this is exactly what God asks of us.  I began stumbling over the next sentence as I started to contemplate this thought.  Finishing the story, I tucked my boys in bed and then took some time to reflect on what God had spoken to me.  I knew plain as day that God was telling me that just like the loaves and fish, I need to bring Him what I have.  Although I usually do not feel that I have much to offer; that my time, talents and money are insignificant at best, God is able to take what we do have and turn our ordinary into extraordinary.  Trust God today that if you are willing to give what you do have to Him, however small it may seem, He can do big things through your willingness to surrender to Him!  What loaves and fish might you have to give today?  Just imagine what He might do with what you give Him!