40-day Easter Journey – Day 21

March 12, 2015/Faith

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God is in the little things

Matthew 15: 32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not wish to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

When Jesus spoke to His disciples in this verse, He had been out with the same crowd for three whole days, healing their sick, making lame people walk, and causing the blind to see. He performed many miracles in those three days and was probably pretty tired. It was time to send the people away. He needed rest. But He looked around at their needs – not just their spiritual needs, or their “big” needs for healing, but their practical need for food. He felt compassion for them. So He sets about providing for their most basic needs. The following verses describe Him feeding over 4,000 people, this time with seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

Sometimes we think we should only go to God with the big stuff… with the stuff that is life or death, or only spiritual in nature. These verses show us that God is in the practical details of our lives as well. These people weren’t poor, without the means to go home and get food on their own. He wasn’t worried that they didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. He was more concerned that they needed food now and didn’t want to send them away hungry. When you are facing a situation that overwhelms you – even if it seems insignificant and small compared to what others face… maybe you think it’s not as important as the starving people in Africa or someone who is facing a serious illness – take it to God anyway. He’s waiting for us to rely on him for every day things… for us to have faith that He cares for us in big and small ways.

Activity: Homeless Packets

In a large Ziploc bag, place toothpaste, toothbrush, small soaps (sample size is perfect), washcloth, Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, fingernail clippers, comb/brush, deodorant, small shampoos/conditioners, socks, gloves, and soft snacks such as apple sauce, fruit cups, soft breakfast bars, and chocolate. Don’t forget to add a plastic spoon!

Make up a few of these and either deliver them, or stick them in your glove compartment for when you see a homeless person. Explain to the children that God provides for our every day practical needs and many times He does this through other people.

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(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss