One time Jesus had been teaching thousands of people. It was getting late in the day, and everyone was hungry. Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "I want you to feed all the people." They didn't have any food out there in the wilderness. There were no grocery stores, no restaurants. On the surface, it seemed like what Jesus was asking was impossible. But here's a key: God will never ask you to do something and not give you the ability to do it. You might think, "Well, Joel, I can't raise this child. He's too difficult." No, God wouldn't have given you the child if you weren't able to raise him. "Well, these people at work are driving me crazy." No, when God gave you that job, He gave you the ability to be there with a good attitude. "Well, I can't accomplish my dreams. I don't know the right people." No, the moment God put the dream in your heart, He lined up everything you need to bring it to pass.
The disciples said to Jesus, "We can't feed all these people. It's impossible. We don't have any food."
Jesus heard all of their excuses. He finally said to them, "You've told me all about what you don't have. All I want to know is what you do have."
They said, "We just have five loaves of bread and two small fish. But what is this among so many?" They looked at it and dismissed it. It's not enough.
You might say, "Joel, I believe I could do something great if I had more going for me, if I had more talent, more friends or more money." No, you're just looking at the natural. Get rid of that I-don't-have-enough mentality. God is saying to you today what Jesus said to the disciples so many years ago, "Give Me what you have. Don't make excuses. Don't sit on the sidelines of life feeling intimidated and shortchanged. Put your life, your goals and your dreams into My hands."
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, prayed over it, and supernaturally multiplied it, feeding about 15,000 people—and there were 12 baskets left over! That's what happens when you give God what you have. He will multiply it. He'll give you more than enough!
Today, are you talking yourself out of something God has placed in your heart? Let this be a reminder that God can do what you can't do when you give Him what you have!
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all." (Mark 6:41, NIV)