Monday, November 8, 2010

Loaves and Fishes

My Institute class this semester is the first half of the New Testament, the Gospels. It's wonderful to be able to dive into the Savior's words and parables, and take from them application for our lives.

Today we read about the feeding of the 5000 in Matthew 14:14-21:

15 ¶ And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

It is a miracle that a child could retell to you without any hesitation. Yet it's meaning is so personal, so individual, even 2000 years later.

When I read this today I had a thought come to my mind. We are like the young boy who brought his 5 loaves and 2 fishes to the Savior. "Here are my loaves and fishes!" we say. "Here are my talents, my attributes, here are the things that I am working so hard on!". Perhaps it is trying to become a better missionary, a better friend, a more Christ-like individual or perhaps it is to serve in your calling as a Primary, Sunday School, or Relief Society teacher. We bring our loaves and fishes before him.

And what does he do?

He feeds 5000 with our meager supply.

He magnifies every effort that we make, every step in the right direction is a leap. With His aid, we are able to be better teachers, stronger friends, and more faithful disciples.

He takes our 5 loaves and 2 fishes and not only feeds the 5000, but fills 12 baskets with them afterwards.

If you bring all that you have, He will make it work. You may only be able to feed 1 person with your small loaves and fishes, but the Lord is able to take care of the rest-the 4,999.


I have been talking with someone lately about how hard it is sometimes to follow the Lord's plan when we don't know where that will take us. Sometimes He takes the wheel and guides us. Other times He gives us the directions and we drive, not knowing where we are, or where we are going till we get there.

The Lord could have told His disciples EXACTLY what He was going to do. Instead, He let them find the solution. He let them drive.

This is proof that He truly is the Master Teacher. For example, let me ask you a question. What would happen to our development if He always told us exactly what to do? Would we ever be able to grow?

I think about my life and how I have looked at not knowing what lies before me on the path. I regret that sometimes I have been upset, but I learned a long time ago that He is so much better at this than I am. I am grateful that He is leading me. I am grateful that He magnifies my little loaves and fishes. And I am just fine with following the path that He lays before me.

Am I afraid of the uncertainty?

No.

He has led me thus far! My life is wonderful. I have so many blessings. How would I ever be able to be afraid when He is the one leading and directing me?

Because I know in Whom I have put my trust.


2 comments:

Sarah said...

I don't think I tell you this enough... but... I just love you! You are an incredible woman, and I am glad you are my sister :)

Mom said...

This is very true. How many times have our meager efforts been allowed to expand.We just put on a pioneer dress and helped share the gospel with thousands! So, thankful for a daughter like you!