Picture yourself on the sidelines of this story, looking out over a vast crowd – thousands, in fact, sprawled across the landscape. The sun has long past its peak. It’s getting late. After an afternoon of soul-nourishing teaching from Jesus they’re now hungry for food. You overhear the disciples, suggesting that Jesus sends them away to nearby villages, but Jesus has other ideas. “You give them something to eat” he replies, shifting his gaze from the disciples and onto you. (See Mark 6:30-44 if you’re unfamiliar with what happens next.)
Carry this image and how you feel in response through August. Take time this month to pause, take a breath, slow down – and picture the many people sprawled across the landscape of your life. Family. Friends. Work colleagues. Fellow volunteers. Social media connections. Neighbours. Acquaintances near or far, social action needs and projects on your heart…. It may be surprising how the numbers add up when you immerse yourself in the scene; as you see how many ways your life is interconnected with others. A vast crowd, some or many of whom may not know Jesus. Some who may be hungry for food, literally – or for the soul and spirit nourishing love, life, truth, grace, compassion, wisdom …. and more, of Jesus.
As you pray for them, asking God to help, provide and reveal Himself to them, where can you hear His response: “You give them something to eat”?
It may be practical: an extra couple of baked bean tins …or more… in your grocery shop that you can gift to the food bank. But there’s other hunger waiting to be nourished too. Friends who don’t understand who Jesus is or a social media feed hungry for joy, positivity, truth and wisdom. Who else is hungry for what you could potentially give?
You may feel inadequte with your meagre offering of breadrolls and a couple of sprats to feed the vast need, but no matter how insignificant you feel, no matter how small you perceive your offering to be, ask Jesus to bless it, then trust Him to provide in ways you may never realise as you distribute what you can to your world.