“Leslie Weatherhead recalled a woman who received a letter from a soldier she did not know. His name was Murray, and he wrote from the battlefield. Murray wrote that he had once been in her Sunday School class, and she had spoken about Christ as a hero for the boys. He mentioned the date when this woman’s words had altered his whole life’s perspective.
“She had kept a diary, so she turned to see her entry for the date Murray had mentioned. She learned that she had come home that particular Sunday discouraged, and thought about giving up teaching. The entry read: “Had an awful time. The boys were so restless. I am not cut out for this kind of thing. I had to take two classes together. No one listened, except, at the end, a boy from the other class called Murray seemed to be taking it in. He grew very quiet and subdued, but I expect he was just tired of playing” (Edward Chinn, All Saints Church, Philadelphia, PA).
This story reminds me of how the Lord can do much with very little. In John 6, a large crowd had gathered and Jesus tested Philip by asking him to find a way to feed them (6:5-6). The task appeared to be insurmountable (6:7). Andrew points out a lad with a sack lunch but doesn’t believe that will make any difference (6:8-9). There’s no way to feed a crowd of 5000 men, not counting the women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish, right? By the time Jesus was done, everyone had eaten their fill and there were twelve baskets of leftovers (6:11-13)!
Who knows what the Lord might do with our seemingly feeble efforts and meager resources? Something as simple as a cup of cold water can make a big difference (Matthew 10:42). Sure, aim for big things, but never forget to do the “little” things along the way. Your “sack lunch” may become a feast for others who desperately need it.
God loves you!
Mike
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