People who are solution oriented can be more pleasant than those who dwell on a problem. Sure, I have my moments where I am inclined to fret, but fortunately, they do not last long. Thankfully, I have positive “go to” people to help me out of funks.
Worshipping in a small church, one can be tempted to fret – particularly when it comes to feeling like there aren’t enough resources of all kinds. In John 6, Jesus has compassion on a crowd of 5000+ people and wants to feed them. Jesus turns to his disciple, Phillip, and asks where sufficient bread can be bought. Phillip exclaims even if he worked for over 6 months, there still would not be enough money to buy food for that crowd! I wonder if Phillip sighed, rolled his eyes and thought, “I can’t believe the boss is asking me this!” Then Andrew perks up and offers a suggestion. He spots a young boy with a few fish and a few loaves, mentions them, and inquires, “how far will they go?”
I appreciate Andrew – his faith may have been small, but it was enough to offer a suggestion. He may have doubted that the boy’s few could feed the many, but he does not let doubt overcome his willingness to contribute. He could have talked himself out of sharing for fear he would look silly in front of Phillip and Jesus, or because the few meeting the needs of many didn’t practically make sense. And on top of all that, he had already put in a full day with Jesus. He could have said, “I think I’ll sit this one out, this is a tough one and I’m pretty tired from this crowd!” But he doesn’t. He offers a suggestion and then is witness to a very cool miracle.
Often, it feels like the needs are many and the resources are few. Rarely, though, are we left with nothing. Andrew’s experience teaches us to appreciate what is available, submit to God and wait for His answer as to “how far will they go?”
HappySmallChurch 