Is My Work Enough?

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. – Matthew 14:19b-20a (NIV)

In one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles, he feeds more than five thousand people, multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish which, as one tradition has it, were the gift of a young boy.

His disciples had just warned Jesus that there wouldn’t be enough food for the large crowd, but Jesus saw things differently.

He saw a little boy with the willingness to give all the food he had, and Jesus declared it would be enough, even if no one else saw that it could be.

Some think the “fishes and loaves” story is all about Jesus’ ability to perform miracles, but this story is just as much about divine perception of capacity and scarcity as it is about the miracle that follows.

Hold this message close as you march on battlegrounds for justice.

Don’t underestimate your potential for impact because you only have a couple of hours to attend a protest. Don’t stop writing those letters to your representative because you’re one constituent of thousands.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what you don’t have or can’t do, instead of celebrating that every bit you can offer has the potential to make a difference – a difference beyond your greatest imagination.

Don’t fall for the lie that a small sacrifice can’t affect thousands.

As long as you give with your whole heart, whatever you can give and whatever you can do is enough.

Prayer
Dear God, whether I have two hours or five loaves, take my little and touch the lives of many.

About the Author
Marchaé Grair contributed this devotional (edited for length) to Rise Up! Spirituality for Resistance, a collection of devotionals to keep you bright without burning out. Order Rise Up! here.