What’s In Your Basket?

I think, when we hear the word “disciple,” it can be quite intimidating.

We tend to count ourselves out when it comes to the capacity God can use us. But, I want to encourage you today to see discipleship as a process and not a destination. Our faith is more than an “us and God” thing; it’s also outward in nature. This Christian life we’re in is less about what God can do for us and more about finding out the ways we can do for God.

This is why we do things like Serve Day and Good Neighbor Day. It’s why we lead groups and counsel others; all things our church is passionate about. Discipleship is about serving, and it’s available to all of us. Jesus modeled this for us as he fed the five thousand. In this popular story, He set the example for His disciples to follow, and He did that through servant-leadership.

1 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee, 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 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.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

- John 6:1-14

You see, each disciple had his own basket and filled each up with what was leftover so that they would have a supply to serve the next group of people they came in contact with. So, I ask you… what’s in your basket? Do you have a supply available to give to those who need to experience Jesus?

Don’t keep Jesus to yourself. Family, let nothing be wasted.

Utilize your gifts, time, and resources to give to those around you. Don’t count yourself out or minimize the idea that God can use you to impact others. Like Jesus, minister and serve others and let nothing be wasted. Be Heaven on Earth. Pull out of that basket of yours and pray for the person in the grocery store. Share Jesus with the family member you know that has been struggling. Be a light in your workplace. Come alongside the younger generation and share the gospel. Serve at Good Neighbor Day next week. All of these things are an extension of Jesus.

And just like the disciples, let’s show up in the world with our baskets full, ready to serve and disciple God’s people.

Som Tami

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