'What good is that?'
I heard a one-minute radio devotional the night before we left on our mission trip to Belize that was just what the doctor -- or in this case, the Lord -- ordered.
I was a little anxious as we were preparing for the trip, wondering what I would have to offer, and how the Lord could use me. That may surprise some of you, that someone who has been a pastor for more than thirty years would have those kinds of thoughts and anxieties, but insecurity is real for all of us, especially when you are out of your comfort zone.
Anyway, the devotional was about when Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000 with a little boy's sack lunch. The story is recorded in all four gospels, but specifically the reference on this occasion was to John's account. You know the story, I'm sure. It got to be late in the day and all those people who had come out to hear Jesus were now hanging around and there was nothing for them to eat. There was no McDonald's or Taco Bell nearby, and not even a Walmart or Publix or Aldi to buy some groceries, and the disciples began to fret.
Finally, one of the disciples, Andrew, found a little boy who had packed away a lunch of five barley loaves and two fish. He told Jesus about it, but then he said, "but what are they for so many." The Contemporary English Version, which was what was used in the radio devotional, said, "But what good is that?" (John 6:9)
Sometimes we look at the overwhelming need in the world and see what we have to offer and think, "But what good is that?" What difference can I make? How could God ever use me?
I'm sure you know how the story turned out. Fortunately, the little boy handed over his lunch, and Jesus took it and blessed it. In fact, He multiplied it so that they were able to feed the multitude, and somehow had twelve baskets of leftovers when they were done! That's what He can do in us, and through us, when we are available to Him.
That was a good reminder to me as I boarded that plane to head to Belize, and I was especially encouraged that when we started our VBS the next morning, I heard Ms. Bobbie telling the story of the loaves and fishes and how Jesus blessed them. And I saw all week how the Lord used me as I opened up my hands and offered Him what I had. Usually it was in simple acts of service, but there were also some gospel conversations, and some opportunities to encourage and bless others along the way. I even got to use the story from the devotional in the sermon I preached in the church we served.
And I saw 17 people on our TCASC team faithfully serve the Lord with what they had to offer. We weren't all the same--we had different skills, and talents and gifts, and even different opportunities throughout the week. But each person made the choice to make themselves available, both by going on the trip, but daily by offering themselves to the Lord.
Perhaps you sometimes wonder if the Lord could ever use you? Maybe you think you have very little to offer serving Him, and you look at your life and ask, "But what good is that?" Rest assured the Lord has a long history of taking little and making much, and of using those who submit their lives fully to HIm.
What a privilege it was for us to go to Belize to serve the Lord, and the people there, and we appreciate you sending us out to do that. But all of us are just as privileged to be able to serve the Lord in our own community each day, and I hope you won't miss the opportunities the Lord puts before you this week.
I am praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I can't wait to see you this Sunday.
--Ken Letson
