32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
As a single Pastor of two small rural congregations, it is hard to go on a diet. That may seeem like a strange way to start, but think of the church potlucks you have. Think of the food that is leftover at the end. I don't think I have ever been to a church potluck or food event where there were not leftovers. Sure we have ran out of many things, but there was still something for them to try to send home with the pastor. (Most of the time it is deserts!)
I am not suggesting in the least like some others that seven loaves and a few fish could feed all those people and they would still have leftovers. But I want you to think about how many times you leave a potluck or church feeding event and have not felt like you ate too much. Jesus truly did a miracle, but I think that none of us really trust that he could do a miracle like that again.
Put your church potluck on a diet. First of all don't bring extra carbs. If it is not mostly vegetables you should not call it a salad, but bring salads. Bring meats that are not covered with carbs, meat fats are okay just not the extra stuff. If you have potatoes you don't need corn and stuffing, they are all starches. And don't feel like you need to feed everyone, because nobody else is going to bring enough. Lastly, sometimes five vegetable trays at a potluck is just fine (depending upon how much dip you have).
But this is all to say that we should place just a little more trust in the LORD to say there is enough food. Again, I don't expect a miracle every time you have a church picnic, but why not expect one when it is really needed. God has provided you for you. He has taken care of his people in the past. He has had mercy on you. And we will continue to have compassion on you for all the bad choices you have made in your life. He will continue to forgive you and claim you to be a sheep of his flock. So thanks be to God that he provides us with leftovers, and sends extra food home with people of the congregation.
But this is all to say that we should place just a little more trust in the LORD to say there is enough food. Again, I don't expect a miracle every time you have a church picnic, but why not expect one when it is really needed. God has provided you for you. He has taken care of his people in the past. He has had mercy on you. And we will continue to have compassion on you for all the bad choices you have made in your life. He will continue to forgive you and claim you to be a sheep of his flock. So thanks be to God that he provides us with leftovers, and sends extra food home with people of the congregation.
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