Influencers Weekly Devotional

Miracles in your own Backyard

By Bryan Craig

“But He answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’”

Mark 6:37

In Mark, Chapter 6, we read an account of where Jesus sent the 12 disciples on a mission trip. He had been teaching them and feeding them for quite some time, but it seems it was time for them to put the teaching into action. He sends them out, 2 by 2, because he knows we all need a “wing man”, and he gives them specific instructions. Jesus creates a sense of adventure, as he tells them to take nothing with them on their journey. He implies that everything they need will be provided. It sounds like a great premise for a reality TV show, like the Great Race. It reminds me of times I’ve gone on a mission trip to a foreign country. Whereas I normally overpack when I travel, when I go on a mission trip, I’m not too worried about what I’m going to wear, and I tend to take the bare minimum. There is also a great anticipation that the Lord is going to show up and do the miraculous. In Mark 6:12, we read that the disciples drove out demons and healed many sick people. When I’ve been on mission trips, I’ve seen sick people healed and I’m sure many demons were forced to flee, as we brought the Light of Christ into some dark areas. Later in verse 30, the apostles get back together with Jesus, and there is a buzz in the air. They are so excited to tell him about their journey, and it seems to be a big celebration. Jesus, the Master, cuts through the excitement and tells them they need some rest. As always, Jesus plans to teach them another important lesson. The disciples go away to a remote place with Jesus, and they want to continue talking about all their spiritual successes on their journey. However, there are many hungry people who find them. These people are hungry, both spiritually and physically. Jesus sees their need, and He has compassion for them. The disciples, who just came back from a ministry trip where they were looking for people to serve, are now oblivious to the needs of the people back home. They actually want Jesus to send the people away. They use the excuse that the people need to go get something to eat. Jesus, in his stern, yet loving, way, looks straight at them, and says, “You give them something to eat.” He lays the burden of the people squarely on the shoulders of his fired-up men, fresh off their miraculous journey. Unfortunately, these men have suddenly lost their spiritual fervor, as they see the situation as impossible. Jesus patiently asks them, “How many loaves do you have…Go and see.” They gather 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and Jesus multiplies it to feed 5000 people. I’m sure the disciples stood there in embarrassed amazement. Jesus never stopped loving, and He never stopped teaching. In this Journey with our Lord, He will send us on some tremendous missions, where we will be used by Him to do some miraculous things. However, most of the work He will do through us is back home, right where He has placed us. There are needs right around us that Jesus sees, which we may be ignoring or to which we are oblivious. However, as we spend time with Jesus, He will open our eyes to see the needs. We may be looking around for someone else to meet the need, but Jesus is saying, “You meet the need.” When we start stammering around, making excuses, He says, “What do you have that can meet this need?” What spiritual gifts, what experiences, what resources, what talents do you possess that may be able to meet this need. Bring them to Jesus, as little as they may seem, and let Him multiply them into a solution which will fully satisfy this need. We should expect the miraculous every day, in every way, not just on mission trips, church services, Bible studies and special events. Be careful or you might miss opportunities that God is giving you, right where you are. About 7 years ago, we met two special kids who were orphans, James and Jamisha. They were 7 and 8 years old. Their Dad had died when they were toddlers, and their Mom had just died of a brain aneurism. The only family member who could take care of them was a 20 year-old half brother. My wife and I became involved with these kids, and we felt God tugging at our heart to consider bringing them into our home. We had 3 daughters at the time, in a 3 bedroom house. We just couldn’t see how we could do this, and so, we didn’t. We chose to become mentors to them, picking them up for the weekend occasionally, taking them to church, providing for needs. We watched as they were moved around to different living situations with ex-girlfriends of their two half-brothers, sleeping on couches or floors, never really having a home. Meanwhile, I went on on several mission trips, led many Journey Groups, prayed for many people, and was used by God in many ways. Yet, Jesus says to me, “What about James and Jamisha?” A month ago, we heard that James and Jamisha didn’t have anywhere to go. No one really wanted to take care of them. They are now 15 and 16, with only a few years left of high school. We couldn’t believe that no one was stepping up to meet this need. Jesus was saying, “You give them something to eat.” But now we have four daughters in our same 3-bedroom house, and we’re still trying to recover financially from the recession of the past 2 years, and we don’t know what this might do to our family dynamic, and we didn’t know if there would be a safety issue. The Lord gently reminded us of all the different experiences He had taken us through which prepared us for this. He called us to trust Him with the details and the provision. James and Jamisha are now a part of our family, and we see miracles every day. We get to feel the special love He has for orphans and for “sheep who are without a shepherd.” We feel His pleasure as we meet the needs right around us, which He is helping us meet. We are living by faith like never before. Our girls are getting to be a part of this ministry, learning to surrender their lives to God’s greater purposes. There is work involved. Just as Jesus had the disciples distribute the baskets of food and serve them like waiters, we have had a long list of things to do. There are physical, emotional and spiritual needs, all of which have long been unmet. We are tackling these, with God’s help, one basket of bread at a time. For the disciples, this miraculous lesson took place during one meal. However, the spiritual value lasts a lifetime. We pray, that as we meet this need of two of God’s children, He will multiply this blessing over and over again into thousands of lives. Look around your life and ask Jesus to show you someone who is hungry or something which needs to be done. He has a mission for you, right where you are. If you answer the call, you will see the miraculous!