I'm sure many of you are familiar with the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand with a mere five loaves of bread and two fish. It's a story that is frequently told and often referred to. The miracle itself is quite remarkable and almost incomprehensible to my mind.
The other day we had a man speak in our ward; the emphasis of his talk surrounding this amazing miracle. He began by sharing the story from the book of John in the New Testament:
John 6: 5 - 13
5. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9. There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the give barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
His focus then turned to the young lad that provided the five loaves of barley bread and the two fish. The speaker looked up from his scriptures and said,
"Am I expected to believe that absolutely not one of those five thousand people had not even a single speck of food?"
He went on to explain that his personal belief was that there was probably more food to be found in the small pockets or bags that belonged to the company sitting upon the grass. Once approached by the disciples, the person probably had a few thoughts running through his mind:
"I have a wife and children to feed."
"I am poor. I can't give up what little food I have."
"I have not enough."
Whatever thoughts crossed their minds, they informed the disciples that there wasn't a crumb of food to be spared. We know that the disciples finally found the 'young lad' that gave up his five loaves of bread and two fish to be shared with the company of people.
The speaker continued to apply this story and his personal thoughts and beliefs to our own lives; as members of the Church we are asked to sacrifice a great deal. We give 10% of all our income. We're asked to accept callings and expect nothing in return. Our precious time is given to a friend in need. Home - cooked meals are made for the family who's father just passed away. Talents are practiced and perfected and shared with those around us. Members serve months spreading the good word of the Gospel.
When approached with the decision to lend a helping hand, or to work or serve, what are we thinking?
"I work to provide for my family all day. I haven't the time."
"I lack the talent."
"Someone could do a much better job than I."
"I haven't enough to give."
We have been placed on the world in this time and place for purposes that only He is aware of. Our Savior, Jesus Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we would have somewhere to turn when feelings of doubt and inadequacy surfaced. He suffered in Gethsemane so that we would have someone to run to when no one else could possibly understand. He died on the cross so that we could be forgiven of our sins and return to live in His presence once our time on this earth had passed.
He has given us all He has to offer. Should we not do the same? We owe Him more than we are capable to give, yet I'm sure He is grateful when we give what little we have.
"You may sometimes be tempted to say, 'Will my influence make any difference? I am just one. Will my service affect the work that dramatically?' I testify to you that it will. You will never be able to measure your influence for good." -President Thomas S. Monson
I believe that to be true. There is no way to know how much good you do in the world. No way to measure the joy felt by the person that received your happy smile in the hallway yesterday. There is no way to know the amount of relief experienced by the mother of the two little boys you're babysitting for an hour so she can take a break. It is nearly impossible to measure the amount of appreciation being felt by the elderly man as you help him weed his garden.
You never know how much good you do by just doing the little things.
I promise that if you will make your time and talents available to the Lord and the hastening of His work that you will be blessed. There will always be someone with more time. There will always be someone that is better or has had more life experience. If you keep telling yourself your contribution will make no difference, it won't.
"You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others." -Audrey Hepburn
I believe we have so much to give. There is goodness within us. I know we will be blessed for the sacrifices we make - no matter how small or insignificant they may seem; because in the eyes of the Lord, they are great. And they make a world of difference for those around us.
So. Will you be the young lad?
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