John 6:1-14
"After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Therefore, Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?'
This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive even just a little."
One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 'There is a lad here who has five barely loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?'
Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as the crowd wanted.
When they were filled, He said to His disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.'
So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Therefore, when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said 'This has truly been done by the Prophet who is to come into the world.'"
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I have heard this story many, many times. And, each time, there is a sense of God's power and control even under seemingly impossible scenarios. God loves to surprise and astound. But, this morning I read it again, and I had a new thought.
In just a few weeks, I will be welcoming students into my classroom for the first time. I will be the teacher, and they will be the student. I will be the one responsible for teaching them, guiding them, and leading them. As a first year teacher, I feel as though I don't have much to offer them in terms of experience and knowledge. As much as student teaching taught me, I am overwhelmed with the truth that there is so much that I don't know. I am overwhelmed with the knowledge that my students will need so much more from me than I can possibly give.
When I read this story this morning, a new thought entered my mind.
I am the five loaves and two fish. My students are the crowd. I am not enough.
How can I possibly feed so many people with such little food? How can I possibly give my students what they need when I am so inadequate? What I have to offer won't fill them; they need more than what I can give.
As humbling as this is, it also brings me peace. Thank God it isn't all up to me. Thank God my God loves to use the poor of His world to bring glory to Him. Thank God He works miracles.
God can meet our needs. Where my abilities and experience lack, God provides in abundance.
I love that the account ends with the disciples filling baskets of leftovers. God is extreme, excessive. When He provides, He does so in abundance - more than I need. I have to trust that God will be excessive in my life this school year. He will multiply my meager abilities as a teacher to fill these kids to the brim, to go beyond just the basics of what they need.
John 10:10
"...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Feel encouraged, as I was this morning, that God works above and beyond our capabilities. Do not let the knowledge that you are the five loaves and two fish create in you a heart of trepidation, but let it encourage you, enliven you, that He multiplies our abilities to bring about miracles. Be at peace. Be at rest. You serve a God who is excessive in His provision!
