Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for January 23-4 are provided by Christine Li.  Christine graduated from University of Pennsylvania and currently lives and works in New York City.  She attends Remnant Church in Manhattan.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

John 6:8-9, 11

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ’Here is a boy with five small barley loves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ … Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

During summer vacations, my gang of cousins and I would compete in earning money. We received pennies from our aunts for different chores— folding laundry, sweeping the floors, etc. When any one of us thought he or she had collected a sufficient amount, we would announce that we could treat the entire family to a pizza feast. One of my aunts would then take that cousin to the store: the cousin would pay with that hard-earned money, and our aunt would ‘fill in a little bit’ on the spot.

Looking back now, it seems unlikely that we earned much out of pennies. If we had been fixated on how little we were making, we might actually have been too discouraged to dream of providing dinner. Instead, our aunts probably footed the bill and let us experience the joy of being a breadwinner.

The boy in the narrative may have had a better awareness of how far his contribution would go—what could a couple loaves and fish do for a hungry crowd of thousands? No matter the context or situation, that kind of doubt is universal and appears whenever we have an inkling to serve. We, too, will never seem to have sufficient pennies or loaves.

Do not let your poverty be a reason to withdraw from serving, because the amount we bring cannot hinder God from His work. He, who created the known world out of nothing, is fully able to multiply anything we bring and desires for us to share in the joy of seeing His work accomplished. As He multiplied back then, He also does today. He can maximize and exceed your expectations for your time, resources, energy, and love.

Is there a task that you feel unequipped or unprepared for? Let us approach God humbly, realizing that our all-powerful, all-sufficient God truly desires for us to labor alongside Him. And let us approach Him boldly and expectantly, knowing that when we hand to Him what little we have, He will give us a front row seat to His power and His provision.

Prayer: Father, You are powerful and able, and I am weak and needy. Even though You do not need my contribution, thank You for Your grace that lets me work alongside You. Give me the faith and boldness to approach You when I bring so little to the table, and let me sing victoriously of how You provide in every situation.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 18-19