Sow & Reap The Proof is in the garden

To begin my blog, I’ve chosen to share from a scripture the Holy Spirit used to reveal God’s desire for my ministry.  Principles I learned from this account in Jesus’ life ignited within me a deep desire to be like Him in the lives of others…

The story:

Tired, hungry and desiring to slip away with His disciples to rest, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowd of people waiting for Him. Recognizing their need for someone to lead them, He stepped up, laying aside His own needs and desires, and taught them many things. As time passed and the hour grew late, Jesus’ disciples came to Him and suggested the people be sent away to find something for themselves to eat. In response Jesus turned his attention to training His own disciples, calling them to step up to meet the needs of the people. He directed them to take account of what resources they had, and after organizing the crowd and blessing the food, distributed it to them to pass out. Everyone ate and the leftovers were collected.

It’s a story of self-sacrifice, compassion, teaching, training, organizing, and meeting needs of people. Amazing in itself.

Enter the power of God, transforming a simple story into a testimony of His character and ministry:

The crowd exceeded 5,000 people, the disciples didn’t spend any of the money they had on hand, only five loaves of bread and two fish fed everyone until they were satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.

It’s a story of believing for the impossible, the miraculous stretching of resources, and knowing God’s desire to abundantly satisfy and bless beyond the need at hand.

Enter God’s call:

With no bread, bags, money or sandals, and only one tunic apiece, the disciples went in pairs, traveling and calling people to repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick with oil, healing them. Upon returning to Jesus they were told to go away and rest. Tired, and hungry they slipped away and found a great crowd waiting for them when they arrived.

Tired and weary, yet obediently doing as Jesus asked, the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 occurred from their hands.

From Mark 6, my heart’s desire: to be moved with compassion, to teach and lead others, to  create systems that enable His hands to move in meeting the needs around me, to believe in the impossible and to be a participant in His miracles.