Here Am I

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.  John 6:8-9, 12-13

I’m going to lay aside the usual application of this passage. Instead, I want to tell you about one man and one boy who probably didn’t even know each other. Do you ever wonder why God chooses certain people? It’s almost a biblical theme that God “overlooks” the most qualified and chooses an “insignificant” nobody.

There is what I call the “you got it all wrong, Samuel” factor. Which happens when God reminds us that outward appearances are deceiving when it comes to God’s purposes. God does not look at physical appearance, He looks into the heart.

Nothing says more about a person’s heart than that they “show up” every day. As a pastor/preacher I’d rather have one person show up than have a thousand pledges. One person equipped with a teaspoon, who shows up to help move a mountain is more valuable than a multitude of prayers and well wishes.

The question of how to feed a multitude came up. There were plenty of people around, and probably much discussion. Two people showed up to offer what little they could. Pitiful as their ability to do the job seemed, they stepped up to say, in effect, “Lord, here I am. This is all I have. Is it any help?”

In the few glimpses we have of Andrew, he seems to always be bringing people to Jesus. He may have talked John into going home with Jesus. He went and got his brother, Peter to introduce to Jesus. Here he brings a boy with a few loaves and fishes. On the surface, it’s not nearly enough to do the job. But he shows up with what he has found. Which means he showed up to join the food search party.

Then, there’s the boy and nothing but questions. Where did he get the food? It sounds like way too much for one boy’s lunch. Did he go around gathering what he could because no one else would do it? Didn’t he know better than to stay out of grownup business? What made him show up to tug on Andrew’s robe and make the offer? I believe it was a heart felt desire to help no matter how insufficient his ability seemed.

God loves those who aren’t intimidated by circumstances and will show up to answer the call whatever it may be. Christians are quick to talk about God’s power. Consider this. God’s power, more times than not, works through His people. For this to happen, somebody has to show up to be used.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.