Bring Them to Me

This week, three Bible studies that God has been working into me have been released on Amazon. I wanted to feel relieved and experience a sense of accomplishment after years of work, and more recently, the work of formatting them.  Instead, I felt I was under more pressure! We kept finding small mistakes. My mind was spinning with thoughts of “now that these are out there, how will people discover them?” What I thought was the finish line now seems more like the starting line.

Ever been there? Life and work can be tiring. We are weary from the work and realize the work has just begun! Sometimes our arms feel tired from lifting. Our legs tired of racing, and our hands tired of doing. The voices inside our heads can be both beautiful and distressing, as well as strident. Our minds get tired of spinning and solving.

Thankfully, my monthly leaders call for Center Groups was that same week. As we began the call, I was invited to participate in Centering Prayer. Centering prayer is a time set aside to quiet your mind and make room for the Lord in your heart, mind, and life. Then we have a time of silence so we can listen for Jesus’s voice. Gratefully, He spoke.

First, he asked, “Andrea, 'What do you want?' What are you longing for?” My answer was that these Bible studies would draw people to Him. Would be used for His glory. That the voice that spoke so powerfully to me through these Scriptures would speak to all who read them. The Lord answered with, My Word does not return void. It accomplishes everything I intended for it to. Isaiah 55:11.

Then he simply said, “Bring the bible studies to me. They are too heavy for you, but they are easy for me to carry.” He brought to mind the boy with the loaves and fish in Matthew 14:13-21. Jesus has been teaching the people all day. The sun is setting, and people are tired and hungry. The disciples recognize the need and bring it to Jesus' attention. Jesus tells his disciples to give the people something to eat.

Jesus commands his disciples to feed over 5,000 people! The disciples are incredulous and know they have no ability whatsoever to do what Jesus has asked. Feed all of these people? They are in a remote place and probably can’t even feed themselves. The disciples tell Jesus what they have, and it is small, too small to feed even three people.

Jesus doesn’t even hesitate with the small offering. He simply says,  “Bring them to me.” He takes five loaves of bread and two fish out of their hands. He has the crowd sit down. Looking up to heaven, he thanks God, and then he begins to break the food into pieces. He keeps thanking and breaking until over 5.000 people are fed and 12 baskets are left over.

Can you imagine the disciples' shock and awe? As they saw everyone eat their fill, each disciple was left standing holding a basket full of bread and fish! They brought him the little they had, and he multiplied it to feed many. I love that Jesus gave each disciple a full basket when everyone had finished eating. The smile on Jesus’s face and the surprise on the disciples must have been something to see!

Because of Jesus' gracious invitation, I brought and continue to bring Center, Chosen, and Called to Him. He is a much better keeper and multiplier than I will ever be. It feels like such a small offering ( I am no Paul Tripp!), but it is what I have. The invitation to simply bring Jesus what we have is open to us every second of every day of our lives. It may not seem like much to us, but placed in Jesus’s hands, he can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20. What is in your hands today? Will you join me in bringing it to Jesus? He has the most trustworthy hands in the universe!