What Do You Have?

I hope your Thanksiving was blessed.

(me, Denise, Lauren, Rachel, Becca, Mom, Dad, Dana (sis), Jay (bro in law)

I heard a report from England that the Campus house had 95 young people from the University of Birmingham show up for a Thanksgiving dinner. That is such a miracle. God is working. I guess they had always heard about Thanksgiving and wanted in on it – English or American. 

The concept is awesome in any culture. Time to share with family and friends and be thankful. So we look forward to the rest of the holidays and a new year in a precarious economy with terrorism in Mumbai (pray for them) and we have to wonder how we will see God in this coming year. It may be that many of us will face tough economic times in the coming year and all of us will feel differently about our “security.” It’s likely that there will be a lot more trusting in God this year and a lot less trusting in ourselves. Which can be a good thing. As I said Wednesday, whatever we can be thankful for, opens up our faith to finding more blessing from God.

In another passage I was reading, I was struck again with the partnership we have with God’s miracle. It’s another time when there are lots of people and not much food.

 “During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. (Mark 8:1-5)”

Notice that God always starts with what we have. The irony is that if Jesus could multiply the loaves, that means he can make bread. If he can make loaves – he didn’t need to start with theirs. He could have made pizza if he wanted. Dominos for everyone. But he started with what they had. 

It’s the same idea as tithing. It’s the same idea as faith and miracles. It’s the same idea with belief. It’s the same idea with witnessing. God starting with what we have and multiplying it. So the question for this holidays and the coming year is NOT what God can do for you (starting to sound like JFK), ask what you have to start with. “HOW MANY LOAVES DO YOU HAVE?” 

It’s the answer to world hunger, it’s the answer to spiritual hunger, and it’s just the plain old answer.

ME. 

I am the answer. 

See you this weekend - don't miss Josh McDowell!

Tim

Comments

[Re/Nevada]

Isn't Thanksgiving about caring for all people,as Jesus said: to Love One Another. Not just family and friends.
Why must we live in only a box,of "our own little world,(family and friends).
Some people have lost family members,or have few friends.Everyone's situation is different.
The Holidays can be rough for alot of people who celebrate the Holidays by themselves.