THE MAGIC OF LITTLE

"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" John 6:9

The feeding of Five thousand men is one of the famous miracles Jesus performed. As I read John's account of this miracle once again, Andrew's comment in John 6:9 jumped out to me this time. 

Read that verse again, wouldn't you have said the same thing? I know I would have! At least Andrew even acknowledged the 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes. How many of us would have bothered to even mention it? So, in a way, kudos to Andrew, he acknowledged what was in his hands, so to speak. That is more than I can say for some of us. Which is why I was led to write this today. To bring your attention to what is in your hand. To get you to actually acknowledge the little something you have. That talent, that skill, or that gift. 

The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is another one that comes to mind. When Elijah asked her to feed him, she confessed she had no bread, but acknowledged she only had a handful of flour, to eat with her son and die. If you read through 1Kings 17:7-24, you see that by using that handful of flour in service to God, that handful did not run out till the end of the famine. 

What I’m trying to bring out of this is that, no matter how small, and how seemingly insignificant that talent, skill or gift, is, it has the potential for increase. See what also happened to the five barley loaves and two fishes after Jesus presented it to God. It multiplied! It became enough to feed the thousands of people, and there were leftovers! Imagine that!

Although these scriptures highlight God's provision, they also highlight the magic of little. It all started with something small. So, what is in your hand? That skill may seem small and irrelevant. That talent may not be sought after, but put it to use anyway. Do not despise it. 

 I feel sometimes, we spend so much time coveting what others have and what they are doing with it, that we convince ourselves we have nothing worthy of our own. 

Why didn't God give me a voice like hers? If he did maybe, I would be out there releasing an album, and touching lives too!

Why didn't God make me artsy like Paul?!

If only I could write as good as Emma! 

She is a genius! She just developed this cool stuff! Why didn't God give me a brain like hers?!

Ugh, if only I had the platform she has, I could be doing something worthwhile too!

Why am I not gifted?!... Like them!

Raise your hands if any of these thoughts or similar ones are familiar to you? My hands are raised. 

Let us be now cautious of them, for no child of God is born mediocre. You have an excellent spirit in you, and so do I. 

The truth is, the gifts and talents God has deposited in us, is not just for our own betterment and prosperity/fame. We have a mandate. We all have a role to play in God's Kingdom here on earth, and He has equipped us for it. It is left to us to first, uncover it, harness and nurture it.

If you have already identified that talent you have, but think it's little or insignificant, remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. God still expects you to use it. So, today, make that decision to get to work! In whatever capacity, use that talent, and let all glory go to God. Sow that seed in your hand, cultivate it, and watch it bloom.  Leaving it buried will not profit anyone. 

If you really think you have no talent, nothing to offer, I suggest you talk to God about it. He can open your eyes to see it. He can use someone else to point it out to you. He can place you in a situation where it would become clear to you. Once He does, get to work too! Sow and cultivate. Not only can God show you that talent, but He can also tell you the purpose for it, and give you a platform to use it!

Whatever is in your hand, give it to God. As my friend puts it, God can breathe on our abilities, skills, talents, etc. So, do not despise, underestimate or neglect what He has deposited in you, and when you bloom, bloom for His glory!

Book Recommendation: Uncover your Potential by Dr Myles Munroe (and other books in this series.)

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