Let nothing be wasted… John 6:12
I love that Jesus says this.
I love that this is how our God rolls.
Nothing… nothing Church… is wasted.
In our gospel lectionary text, we see a crowd moved toward Jesus
for the wrong reason… for what they can get, not because of Who He is.
That’s not wasted.
We feel the overwhelm as this “great crowd” of wanting moves as one up the mountainside.
That’s not wasted.
We hear the confusion as Jesus asks a seemingly crazy question which doesn’t make sense.
We sense the panic when faced with a magnitude of need far beyond abilities to address.
We know the inadequacy of a meager offering which only serves to exacerbate the reality of what is needed and the pain of what isn’t available.
Yet, in each circumstance… nothing is wasted.
Let nothing be wasted Jesus says, because in God’s economy nothing ever is.
Our wrong motives, our overwhelm, our misunderstanding, our abyss of need, our fear in the midst of the storm,
our storm.
Let nothing be wasted Jesus says,
because nothing is beyond God’s redeeming power.
No circumstance is beyond God’s gracious ability to bring about God’s good.
No moment is bereft of a chance for a miracle.
Let nothing be wasted Jesus says, and if we have ears to hear, let us hear.
The lessons of this scripture are an easy yoke to bear.
Stay close to Jesus.
Offer what we have.
Give thanks.
Live as if we really believe God can… and will.
If, like the disciples, we can do these things, we too will witness God’s amazing grace
and the unexpected unfolding of miracles.
Perhaps even the miracle of our own broken pieces being gathered up.
For God has spoken these words:
Let nothing be wasted…
May it be so.
Always thankful for you,
Dena
If you would like to view past editions of Grace for the Journey, follow this link: https://fairwaydistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/