Fish and Loaves

Jesus' disciples had only five loaves of bread and a couple of small fish, and Jesus had called on them to feed over five thousand people.  This was of course an impossible task for them to accomplish with their very limited resources, the fish and loaves would never meet the need.  I'm sure you remember what happened in this miracle, as Jesus blessed the small amount the disciples brought to Him and it was multiplied so that there was enough to feed the multitude with leftovers.
I remember a faith building "fish and loaves"moment for me, back when I was a twenty three year old, newlywed, newly hired youth pastor.  I was hired by a denominational church to oversee the youth, and my first assigned task was to meet with the parent leaders of the church's "teen club".  I was sure zealous for Jesus and for His word, and I just knew these parent leaders would be also.  Boy was I wrong!
As I met with the parents, the first thing I did was get rid of the name "teen club".  I told them we weren't a club, but a ministry.  I then canceled all of the club activities for the next couple of months, and told them our main focus would be a Sunday night Bible study.  We would have social activities eventually, but at first I wanted to make the Word of God the clear foundation of the ministry.  So, it was out with the bowling night and the miniature golf night, and in with the Bible study.
I really thought that the parent leaders would be as excited as I was about this new direction, but they weren't.  There was at least an hour of resistance and lecturing on how I was out of touch with the youth of the day.  It was difficult, but I didn't back down on what I knew the Lord was calling me to do.  By the end of the evening all but one of the fifteen or so leaders resigned.  The night I had been so excited about blew up in my face, and the parents I was so sure would be behind me, were hoping for my failure.
As I drove home feeling pretty weak and alone, I prayed a prayer that I have said many times since that night, it went like......Lord I think I'm in over my head, but I have to obey what You are calling me to do, so here I am, I have Your Spirit, Your word, and I can pray, help!!
As in the Gospels, this "fish and loaves" story also had a miraculous ending.  Within a couple of months our Sunday night study overflowed the church library with over one hundred high school students, and many young people came to salvation through the ministry.
How we need to continue to learn this lesson of the "fish and loaves" and realize it's not about us, but all about Jesus, He's the miracle worker.  Our job is to bring what we have to Him, and have Him bless and multiply and be glorified.