This week’s reading bears witness to this truth. John 6:1-15 tells us about the greatest catering feat of all time: Jesus’ feeding of thousands of people with just five loaves and two fish. We see here the love, compassion and generosity of Christ, who wanted to care and provide for people’s physical needs.

We also see His sheer power on display, causing people’s small contributions to have a massive impact. The little boy only had just enough food for himself, but he was quite willing to place it in the Lord’s mighty hands. Two thousand years later, we’re still talking about it! I wonder if the boy’s mother packed his lunch for him; no doubt, she too would never have dreamed of how many would partake of it.

One of the disciples, Andrew, also had a small part to play in this story. He was the one who noticed the boy with his lunch, even though he questioned what good it would do. Yet Andrew still spoke up; he still made a suggestion even at the risk of being thought a fool. And then, when Jesus had miraculously multiplied the loaves and fish, the disciples simply had to distribute them.

None of these contributions was significant in and of itself, but each was used powerfully in the Lord’s hands. You and I might not have a great deal to offer in God’s service, but we should never let that stop us from offering it anyway. It is His power that will bring multiplication and transformation. The heartfelt prayers for an unbelieving friend, family member or colleague to know Christ. The gracious comment or thoughtful question that points someone to the gospel. The kind and generous act that speaks of the Saviour’s love. The intentional financial gift to support Christian ministry and mission. The faithful efforts in serving God’s people, by word or deed, in seen or unseen ways. The Bible, tract or Scripture card given to someone with a warm invitation to read. Whatever contribution we make, in the Lord’s hands, a little really can go a long way!