Reach Out with Faith

When a catastrophe occurs, how do you normally react? Do you want to dive right in and help, or do you often find yourself standing on the sidelines? I can empathize with Jesus’ disciples when they were confronted with five thousand ravenously hungry people. Their first reaction was to send the people away, to remove the problem. Throughout my own life, when I’ve faced tough situations, I always wanted the problem to disappear. Because of this, helplessness and shame used to consume me. But we can find hope when we see how Jesus acted that day with the five thousand hungry people. Jesus, the restorer of our broken world, had compassion on all those people, and He instructed the disciples to hand out baskets of bread and fish to the hungry crowd in faith. God was the one who multiplied the food so there was more than enough, but Jesus invited the disciples to be part of what God was doing. Today, God asks us to trust Him in similar ways. Perhaps, like me, you’re naturally quiet. God asks even us quiet people to reach out with faith. It doesn’t matter what kind of personality we have; God invites us to take that step of faith, even if it’s reluctant, and He will help with the rEsther God gives us each unique gifts, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to use them to glorify Him and serve people in love. Because we live in a world broken by sin, crises are inevitable until Jesus returns and makes all things new. While I don’t see myself as someone who serves “on the front lines,” I’ve learned that I can offer my strengths by supporting from behind the scenes, often through prayer, encouragement, or writing. I’ve come to realize encouraging others and keeping people calm in stressful situations is an asset. Think about the young boy who gave his food to feed the hungry crowd (John 6:9). Jesus used what this boy brought to do what seemed impossible. Similarly, God invites us to help in our own way. When we do what God asks us, the journey may not be easy, but He guides us as we seek to offer whatever He’s given us, and He uses it all for His good purposes. • Cindy Lee • When you see an overwhelming situation, how do you normally respond? • How might remembering God’s invitation to join in what He is doing encourage you in the midst of stressful situations? But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37a (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 32:8; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11