“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, this is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, they need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, we have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”(Matt 14:15-19).
There is a pattern to divine blessing. God’s blessing multiplies our efforts and makes us experience quantum leaps. Studying biblical accounts, we see a trend in divine occurrences. Life’s stage is always set in a particular way and it is important to understand this pattern.
Our text relays an exceptional account of divine provision- Jesus blessed a multitude of 5000 men (women and children not counted) with five loaves of bread and two fishes. But before He did this, He asked His disciples to feed the hungry crowd. They became confused as to where they were going to find enough food to feed everyone. They were in a desert! In modern terms, they were seriously stranded. And here was Jesus saying, “Give these people food to eat.” … in the desert? Now, this is typical of some experiences we may have in our lives today. You may have a vision, yet your environment is not enabling. You wonder how you can attain your goal with all the odds of the desert (i.e. your environment). You are aware that the resources at your disposal cannot fulfil the demands of your project(s). Comparing your vision to your position right now, everything looks impossible. This disturbing situation report does not mean you are not blessed. It also does not mean that your personal needs cannot be met. It just means that you want more out of life! There’s a burning desire to give more and to achieve more.
This is not a bad place to be…i.e. wanting to move from a place of just having your own personal needs met to a place where you experience that quantum leap that turns you into a life- giving spirit- a channel of blessing- to humanity… a point where your vision is fulfilled.
There is a driving force inside all of us. It drives us to give to humanity. This driving force-desire- wants to serve humanity. It is up to us however to ensure that the method(s) of reaching our goals and fulfilling our desires are honest and legal. Ideally, our aim at this point should not be the unbridled desire for and acquisition of material things, it should be to help people on a larger scale through the products and services we offer. This is the principle of innovation. Here, individuals are able to bring forth ideas through which they help the masses by creating products or making available services that meet pressing needs.
Most of the time, the miraculous comes through serving humanity. …a heart that is always willing to help out. Do not limit yourself to just having your own needs met. Remember, Jesus asked that the need of the crowd to be met and the result was a phenomenal testimony. The key to extraordinary breakthrough is always serving the people. It’s the pattern.
Never deprive people that which is theirs. Everyone who does this pays for their wrongdoings somehow. For instance, no employer should deprive those working under him their salaries by owing them or not even paying at all. If he does, he incurs curses on himself. These people have families with needs and such deprivation can cause pain, shame etc. It’s like a spiral…if a member of your staff experience pain, shame and reproach because you did not fulfil your own part of the contract as an employer, as a spiritual law, that pain will be transferred to that unfaithful employer in the same measure. Therefore, do not use your position either in public or private service to create pain in the lives of people. If you do, the repercussion could be very grave.
The secret and the key to abundance in life is a heart of true service to the people. Deliver products and services that will uplift, help and get peoples’ needs met. Become a life- giving spirit to your community and you will continually experience the extraordinary blessings of God in your life.
“Poju Oyemade”