LEFTOVERS
Are They Being Wasted?
~ He is the God Who salvages all things and allows nothing to go to waste ~
January 25th, 2023
a HAPPY MEAL
Matthew 14:16-19, ‘”They don’t need to leave,” Jesus responded. “You can give them something to eat.” They answered, “But all we have is five barley loaves and two fish.” “Let me have them,” Jesus replied. Then He had everyone sit down on the grass and He then took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up into heaven, gave thanks to God, and broke the bread into pieces. He then gave it to His disciples, who in turn, gave it to the crowds.’ (TPT)
There seems to be more worth and use for broken pieces than that which is whole, in the hands of God, that is. Makes me wonder what He thinks about when He sees me.
To His disciples, they saw a sea of what was about to be ravenous, unhappy people. But Jesus saw their spiritual hunger. Feeding their souls was far more important to Him than what sending them away would accomplish with the starvation the disciples feared. They meant the meal; Jesus envisioned the harvest. They perceived the problem; He prepared for the promise.
In the lunchbox of a little boy, the contents were a couple fish and some barley bread. In the hands of a Provider, however, was a phenomenon. One of the greatest banquets ever served took place on a spanse of grass and dirt, and the menu consisted of a miracle and a happy meal. I wonder what Jesus thought as He looked with compassion on the people and the minimal amount of provision held up in His hands as an offering to His Father. Did He see what He held or did He imagine all that it could become? When He looks at me, does He see what He beholds, or does He envision all I can be, held in His hands, used for His purpose?
He took those leftovers and made good use of them. He had blessed them and then He broke them, and what He blessed and broke, He multiplied. He fed those in need of being fed until they’d had their fill, and then had so many baskets of crumbs remaining, perhaps there was even enough left over for the doubtful to have seconds—who knows? But I know this. He has taken me and He has blessed me, He has broken me and allowed me to be broken—then has taken the broken pieces and multiplied them to be used for His glory and for my good. There is nothing wasted in the process and the purpose He designed for me. And the same is true for you too!
John 6:12-13, ‘When the people had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather the LEFTOVERS so nothing is wasted.” They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with LEFTOVERS from the barley loaves.’ (MSG)
