A NEW YEAR…WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK?

MATTHEW 14:14-18: “When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick.  (15)  When evening came, the disciples approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  (16)  “They don’t need to go away,” Jesus told them. “You give them something to eat.”  (17)  “But we only have five loaves and two fish here,” they said to him.  (18)  “Bring them here to me,” he said.”

OBSERVATION: Do you have a dream? Has God given you a vision? Is there something in this world that causes a fire to burn in your heart? Are there needs you see that no one else sees and that no one else is addressing? You would like to do something about it, but…

What is holding you back?

If you are waiting for the harvest to mature before you enter the field of God’s work you are already missing the boat. Jesus never said, to cultivate the fields and then wait patiently for the harvest. No! Jesus was emphatic when He declared,

JOHN 4:35: “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest.“

When the disciples saw the great multitude that gathered to hear Jesus they did not see them with the eyes of a harvester. They looked at this great crowd and only saw their inability to make a dent in the need they represented. When they asked Jesus about it He simply said,

“You give them something to eat.”

With two fish and five loaves of bread, what could they do to feed so many? When I look at what God is calling me to do I feel much the same way. With my limited skill set and age, what difference can I make? As long as I cling to the loaves and the fishes and fail to release them into the hands of Jesus I will never know what God can do. God is calling to each one of us and saying,

“Bring them here to me.”

When we take the first small step of faith and begin employing what is in our hands for the Kingdom of God something miraculous begins to take place. God takes the limited resources we have and multiplies them with His grace. This does not happen automatically. It only happens as we enter into the harvest field and offer our gifts and talents to the Lord.

We experience the power of God when we become a laborer for God!

When the disciples sowed the five loaves and two fish, blessed by Jesus, into the crowds, every need was met. Many believe that with women and children over 20,000 people were fed on these seven meager items. God has the ability to multiply what we hold in our hand but He never does this unless we are willing to let go of it and employ it to help others.

Each year so many of us determine that this will be the year that we move forward in serving the Lord. Yet, so many of us are like the seed that was sown on the wayside, in the rocky soil, and among the thorns. We let the struggles of life, that come on account of the Word working in us, cause us to focus on our lack and pull back.

What would happen if we took just a small step and began to enter the harvest with the little that we have?

I believe we would be met with the miraculous provision of God. We may never have a world-famous ministry or platform. Yet, we will be impacting lives – one at a time. We will be refusing to sit on the sidelines because we only have five loaves and two fish. No, we will place them in the hands of Jesus and begin to hand them out to those in need. Our humble obedience will be met by God’s powerful grace.

So – what am I waiting for?

This is a New Year. This is a clean slate! This is a time to enter the harvest field in search of lost and hungry souls. This is a time to get out of our seats and into the streets – for Jesus!

Lord, help me to start today! Here are my loaves and fishes. Please empower me to be a blessing to others and to keep a harvest perspective in all that I do!

In Jesus’ Name!