Daily Dose #68
DO NOT DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS
MATTHEW 14:13–21 (ESV)
“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick... Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.”
It is easy to believe that God can use people who have a lot to offer. It is much harder to believe that He can use what seems small, insignificant, or inadequate. Many people spend their lives waiting until they feel stronger, wiser, more gifted, or more prepared before they fully surrender themselves to God. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrates that He is able to do extraordinary things with what appears ordinary.
When the disciples looked at the crowd, they saw a problem. Thousands of people needed food, and all they could find were five loaves and two fish. Humanly speaking, it was nowhere near enough. Yet what looked insignificant in the hands of the disciples became more than enough in the hands of Jesus. The miracle did not begin when the crowd was fed. It began when what little was available was placed before Christ.
Many believers overlook what God has already given them because it seems too small to matter. A small step of faith, a simple act of kindness, a quiet word of encouragement, a willingness to serve, or a desire to grow closer to God may not appear significant. Yet God often starts with small things before revealing greater things.
This is why ZECHARIAH 4:10 (ESV) says, “For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.” God does not measure things the way people do. We often focus on size, visibility, and immediate results. God focuses on faithfulness.
In our walk with Christ, we frequently come to Him aware of our limitations. We see our weaknesses, our failures, and our lack of resources. Yet Jesus never asked the disciples to create more bread. He simply asked them to bring what they had. The same principle applies to us today. God is not asking you to become someone else before He can use you. He is asking you to trust Him with what He has already placed in your hands.
The miracle of the loaves and fish also reminds us that God's provision is never limited by our resources. We serve a God who specialises in multiplying what is surrendered to Him. The disciples saw scarcity, but Jesus saw an opportunity to reveal the power of God. This truth is reflected in EPHESIANS 3:20 (ESV) which says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” God's ability has never been restricted by what we lack. His power is revealed when we learn to trust Him despite our limitations.
One of the most overlooked details in this account is that there were twelve baskets left over after everyone had eaten. Not only did Jesus provide enough, He provided more than enough. The God who multiplied the loaves and fish is not a God of barely enough. He is a God of abundance, grace, and provision.
There may be areas of your life that feel small right now. Your faith may feel small. Your opportunities may seem small. Your progress may appear small. Yet small things placed in God's hands can become far more than you ever imagined. Do not underestimate what God can do with a willing heart. Do not dismiss the small opportunities He places before you. Do not overlook the simple acts of obedience that seem insignificant today.
The same Jesus who multiplied five loaves and two fish is still at work. Bring Him what you have, trust Him with the outcome, and allow Him to do what only He can do.