Jesus Christ is always enough

In each of the Gospels there is a story of the feeding of the multitude. This is the history of Jesus feeding 5,000 men plus their families and friends. This was done at the spur of the moment and with no forethought.

Just to sum up, it was late, the people were hungry, and Jesus told the disciples to feed the people rather than send them away. They scrounged around and found a young boy’s lunch of five barley loaves and two fish. Not a grand buffet. Jesus had the people sat down in groups and after blessing the bread and fish, he had it distributed to the crowd. Everyone got something to eat, and there were leftovers.

Okay that is the tale in a nutshell. Basically, Jesus took a little and turned it into a lot. The five loaves and two fish were enough.

There isn’t a pastor in any church who hasn’t looked out over the congregation and wondered how the ministry of the church was going to happen. We, more often than not, are greeted Sunday mornings with more empty seats than full. The needs of the ministry seem to outweigh the abilities of the congregation.

When we get into this “not enough” thinking, we overlook the loaves and fishes. You see, regardless of how many are in church, it is enough to do ministry. IT IS ENOUGH.

Many times, throughout the Bible, prophets and preachers have lamented on what they don’t have. Gideon didn’t have enough men. Guess what? God proved him wrong. Elijah knew he was the only believer. Guess what? God proved him wrong. Paul thought removing his thorn would strengthen his ministry. God proved him wrong. Jesus was supposed to stay dead. God proved the whole world wrong.

You see, we have within our churches everything we need to do ministry. We have that because we have God in our hearts, souls, and minds. If we are truly doing the work of Christ, then we can feed 5,000-plus, we can defeat the enemy and we can bring the Gospel to everyone.

We live in a world that is trying to convince everyone of their weakness. We are slowly becoming victims, making sure our failure is blamed upon others. We look to fail. We expect to fail — that is what the world teaches.

But I serve a God who is creator of the world. My God does not fail — and if He can feed a multitude with just a few loaves and even fewer fish, then I know He can fulfill His ministry through me and the church I serve. All we need to do is invite him in.

If we love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, and love one another as we love ourselves, there is no obstacle that God will not overcome. We just need to trust in God and do his will.

In God there is always enough.

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.