David Paris
Nothing Will Be Lost
John 6:10-13
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So, the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise, also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to the disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So, they gathered them up, and filled up twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
- 12: When they were filled, He said to the disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”
There have been times in my life when I didn’t know how I was going to make it through. Money was tight, I was living paycheck to paycheck, and even then, sometimes I wouldn’t even make it to the next payday. Now don’t get me wrong, most of this was my own fault, my choices led me here. But I’m not just talking about money, or food, or even gas in my car……
Sometimes, I was running on empty spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically. And then, mysteriously, God showed up. Money would unexpectedly show up in my mailbox, people would invite me over for dinner, not knowing I was out of food. Someone would offer a kind word or wise counsel, and my soul would breathe deeply. God would speak, as he did to Elijah on the mountain, in a whisper. As I read in John 6, I see Jesus doing what Jesus does, crowd in tow, loving them right there in the moment. In spite of their faults, failures and bad decisions, He loved them anyway. He taught them. When they were running on empty, Jesus provide for them, in abundance. And when they had their fill, He gathered up the broken pieces, so that nothing would be wasted.
Hear me clearly, God is not okay with sin. When we make bad or selfish decisions, He condemns it. Hear me clearly, if you are making decisions with your sinful nature in mind, repent of it. Then pray. Read His word. Seek wise counsel. Then praise Him for His abundant blessing on your life. When his provision comes, praise Him. And know this, God picks up the broken pieces, the leftovers, the extras. He allows you to put in a basket, the memories, the abundance of His blessings, the lessons learned, “…so that nothing will be lost.”
Heres the deal, God knows us better than we know ourselves. Your sins or bad decisions aren’t catching Him off guard or surprising Him. He knows you, even when you don’t know him. He knows your heart. And when everything feels like its imploding, and you don’t know how you’re going to make it through, lean in. When stuff gets so overwhelming or you just don’t know what the wise decision is and you are hungry and tired, find a spot in the grass, sit down and listen. Hear your Teacher. Listen to the words He has for you in that moment, eat the loaves and fish. Partake of His goodness. Bask in the glow of his holiness. Praise the One who has set you free.
