Willing And Available

The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark 6:44

God works with the available, not with the qualified, or those who look “good on paper.” This is one more truth illuminated over and over in the Bible, and ever so subtly in the story from Mark 6 about the boy and his five loaves and two fishes.

In the reporting of this miracle, Mark counted the number of men only—because women and children were not considered important in that day. But God always uses people others overlook—in this case, a little boy. While we might expect God’s miracles to come through people we consider important—the accomplished, the wealthy, or the talented—He chooses people we might not see. In fact, God will use anyone who is willing to be used, regardless of whether any onlookers think that person is qualified. God is not looking for ability as much as He is availability.

Consider that truth when you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of a need. Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything. God is not asking any one of us to do everything, but simply to do something—and then He will do the rest. Look for opportunities to put your little into the hands of a big God, and watch Him use it to do the impossible.

Lord, may I never miss an opportunity to make my little available to You. Thank You for using it for Your great plans.