It’s a question most of us wonder at some point. Does God care?
It inevitably leads to a second, deeper one. Does he care enough to show up in every situation that concerns you or me?
Even if we aren’t dealing with a “biggie” problem like famine, abuse, cancer, trafficking, poverty, or some huge loss, troubles of normal life can make us doubt how often God turns his eyes toward us. We even might feel sure that he never has, never will.
Yesterday, a familiar miracle read like a story I’d never heard. It shined fresh light on how much God does care about the big and little concerns of our everyday lives.
The story of the loaves and fishes tells of when Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish. It’s the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels.
Matthew’s account begins in 14:13, right after Herod had John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin) beheaded. When Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to be alone. We get a glimpse of a grieving Savior. This is the point when a few golden nuggets stood out to me.
- When the crowds followed Jesus, his response was not to move farther away from them to spare his own weary, sorrowful emotions. Verse 14 says he got out of the boat, he had compassion on them, and he healed their sick. He did not measure their need in order to decide if he wanted to spare his time or energy. He did not gauge their worthiness of his attention.
When we approach him, he moves toward us.
- Later, when the disciples complained about their lack of resources to feed the crowd–with only a few loaves of bread and even fewer fish–Jesus instructed them to bring the meager portion to him (verses 17-18).
He asks only that we give him all we have, not any of what we don’t have.
- In all likelihood, not everyone in the crowd was sick or starving. Many of them might not have been poor either. These were typical, average people of their time. Much like you and me. One meal did not make the difference in whether they thrived or starved. One meal is as everyday as it gets for most of us. Yet, he made his provision of that meal the focal point of their experience of him–and of our understanding of his care over each day’s events.
Jesus sees and provides for the minor, not only the major, concerns of this day.
What’s more, on that long-ago day, Jesus had us in his sights all these generations later. Long after the crowds were satisfied with the little he made much of, Jesus still sees you and me. This story of one meal is part of all the Gospels, providing us extra chances to make its wealth our own.
That thing on your heart today? A car running low on gas far from a gas station. Confidence before an important meeting. A child’s struggle with math. A nagging dissatisfaction. Nerves before a plane trip. A struggle to feel grateful. A resentment you can’t shake.
It isn’t too small for his notice.
He’s looking right at it.
He’s moving toward you.
He’ll show you that he’s got it covered.
One provision after another.
(There’s more! Stay tuned for a tomorrow coming soon–which he already sees clearly.)
~Erin xo