5000 hits, the feeding of the 5000, inadequacy and following Jesus

Yesterday my blog received its 5000th page view. I am amazed that I’ve received this many hits in just under 3 months. I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog and in particular to people who have let me know how encouraging they have found it.

Ironically, at Church on Sunday we were looking at the feeding of the 5000. I read the account (read it here from John 6.1-15) and then people split into groups to consider how they could communicate it creatively. The picture shows a group that multiplied the fish from a single fish using a clever folding and paper cutting technique. We had 2 dramas (the group pictured below even brought props to use), a Powerpoint presentation, several drawings as well as a discussion group. One group handed out bread and had the basket pictured below to remind us how much was collected up after people had finished eating. It was a really encouraging and fun time that was thought-provoking and challenging and it was great to see the wide amount of creativity that was unleashed.

The main thought I had during the morning was to do with inadequacy. There was a crowd of hungry people and all the disciples could find was a few bits of bread and some fish. However thinly they sliced the bread, it just wasn’t going to make enough difference. It was only their willingness to give what they had to Jesus and their trusting in him for a miracle that meant that a solution could be found. All this made me wonder how often I try to make my limited resources and gifts stretch to help more people than I realistically can, rather that giving what I have to Jesus and trusting him to work. To realize that I am inadequate to meet the needs of the world or even of my community is a sobering thing.

I wonder if too many of us see ourselves as saviours of people, that we are here to meet and solve their needs and problems. I’ve been reminded over the past few years that there is only one saviour and that his name is Jesus. He is the answer to the issues people are facing and only he can meet the needs of the community I am a part of. Of course Jesus works through us and we can partner with him in his work.

Learning to join Jesus in what he is doing is basic Christianity but many of us still believe we are calling the shots as we call on Jesus (our Lord??) to bless what we are doing without consulting or listening to him first.

At Orchard Baptist we have also found a real blessing in partnering with our community. Rather that trying to provide all the answers and solutions we have been willing to ask for help from others. We have received external funding for lots of our community family activities and these events have been greatly enhanced by the extra money. We are choosing to see ourselves as inadequate and are placing ourselves in the hands of our saviour, calling on him to act in power.

Before Sunday I was feeling really pleased with myself to have nearly got to 5000 blog hits in such a short period of time but then I was reminded of Jesus and the crowd of 5000 men as well as women and children. He communicated with them, healed their sick and miraculously fed them in a day.

You can follow my blog if you like but I hope you are really following Jesus, he is the only one who can save you and meet your needs.

I hope this video makes you smile, it is a slide show of images we made to go with the song Jesus Superhero. He’s the only one who can save the world.