“Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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 set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.” (Mark 6:39-41)
Notice three things about today’s passage:
1) The disciples had no idea what Jesus’ plan was for feeding all of these people. All they knew is that he had rejected their plan – and what he wanted them to do next. Sometimes the next step is all he gives us, too.
We are not in control.
2) Jesus knew exactly what his plan was right from the very beginning. He wanted everyone to see him feed more than 5,000 people with a single sack lunch. He had everyone sit in specific-sized groups (of 100s and 50s) so there would be an accurate count of how many folks, exactly, got filled up by the miraculous meal.
The Lord is always in control.
3) By being willing to give up control of the plan – or even an understanding of what Jesus’ plan was – the disciples were able to participate on the front lines of one of the greatest miracles of all times.
Being part of God’s plan is always better than succeeding at our own without him.
Think: If you’d been one of the disciples that day, do you think you would have felt resentful that Jesus kept changing your plans? Do you think that kind of attitude would have kept you from enjoying being used by God to do something impossible?
Pray: Ask God to help you to give up control over the plans and to trust him to use you for his glory.
Do: Pay attention this week to who in your life God uses to bring glory to himself. Notice their attitude when plans seem to be falling apart.