Monday, May 28, 2012

Take It, Break It, Make It

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So often I find myself saying, "But I only have...." 


Each time I utter these words,  I imply the gifts my heavenly Father entrusted to me are not enough, and I have somehow come up short. Time and again, I forget God's divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)


In Matthew 14:17-21, the disciples said to Jesus, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  In their eyes, a few fish and loaves were not quite enough to feed the 5000 hungry men and their families that stood before them.  However, Jesus's response to the disciples perceived dilemma was simply, "Bring them here to me."


"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. They all ate and were satisfied and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were leftover."


As a result of the disciples giving what they had to Jesus, all of those present not only ate and were satisfied, but there were even enough leftovers for each of the disciples.


What? You mean that is all I need to do?  Just bring what I have to Jesus?


Yes.  As I  bring my giftedness to Jesus, He will take it, break it and make it.  He will not only make it enough, but he will make it more than enough....more than enough to satisfy not only my own needs, but  the needs of those around me.


The next time I am tempted to say, "But I only have....", perhaps I will remember this lesson and instead declare,  "I have not only...."  I have not only enough, but I have more than enough.  I have leftovers!