What makes a small thing a ministry?

A mother makes a lunch for her son. Such a small thing. It is only a small lunch for one young boy. Her son. She probably does this every day. It is a small task, and it is ministry. She is meeting a need. She is serving another. “…take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Col. 4:17)

A different kind of day

Then, one day—a day like any other day—yet different, that small lunch (5 barley loaves & 2 fish) fed thousands of people! The mother’s ministry became part of something bigger than herself. Bigger than she ever could have imagined! But isn’t that just like God?!

We often have no idea the impact we have

Jesus took the small lunch, raised it up to God in thanksgiving and it became the sustenance for thousands of people. The ministry of small things. Do you think the mother had any idea that morning that the lunch she made her son would be used on such a grand scale for so many? I doubt if she had any idea she was also making lunch for Jesus that morning! Do you think her son thought he would go hungry when they took his lunch away?

Giving thanks can change things

Jesus was handed the little lunch. He then honored God as the true Source by giving Him thanks. “Jesus therefore took the loaves and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated, likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.” (John 9:11) I believe that giving of thanks is what opened up the Heavens so to speak. In this case, it was the story of the loaves and fishes you know so well. (John 6:9ff) But it is also the same for you. Giving of thanks can open up the Heavens as you seek to do ministry. And when you feel like what you have to offer is too little! It is NEVER too little! It is always just what is needed for whatever He is calling you to do.

Going about your day-to-day

The mother had probably made that lunch hundreds of times with no real impact except to serve her son and be certain he was fed and cared for. You—like her—don’t know when THIS will be the day when your little will be turned into much with the touch of the Master’s hand.

Don’t be like the disciples

They scoffed. They could only see the need. They could only see their inability to meet the need. They only saw the cost. They still did not understand that The Lord is The Provider. “There is a lad here, who has 5 barley loaves, and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” (John 6:9)

Jesus saw the possibilities!

Jesus—the Master of small things. He knew. He cared. He met not just physical needs, but also heartfelt emotional and spiritual needs.Yes, he healed and yes, he raised the dead, and yes, he even walked on water to get to the terrified disciples in the boat hit by a storm in the middle of the lake. He KNEW! He intimately knew the Father, and He did the Father’s will. And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did then, He does now! Now, He does it through you. Through me. It can take the form of a smile. A note. A phone call. A lunch taken to a shut-in. Praying for a sick friend. Befriending an ornery millennial. Taking a child to the park for the day so the mom can have a break. Giving a gift for no reason. Just because. Speaking blessing over the check out person. Praying for the persecuted church. Sharing the Gospel message. Starting a Bible Study in your apartment building. We may never know the impact our small thing has.

Just one skilled electrical worker

Like the man in the picture. Just look at that tangle of wires. Yet, he is willing to do what is required in order to bless you. Who even thinks about him on any given day? Yet, there he is in the background, stringing wires all day every day. Routine. You may never think to thank him about what he does to make your life better. Until a storm comes. And the wires go down. Suddenly, his routine work becomes a very special ministry to the rest of us. The ministry of small things matters. In lives. In homes. Hospitals. Offices. One willing person can fix it in moments. Like the disciples. Like the Mom that made the lunch. Like the skilled electrical worker. Like JESUS! You, too, have a ministry of small things to do…

Marching orders

”…take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Col. 4:17) Be available. Do the work of the ministry of small things for His glory and your joy. For there is no greater joy than to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength! “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…to Him be the Glory…forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3:20, 21)

Need help figuring it all out? I’m here for you…

Thank you for the privilege of connecting…

Until next time,

God bless you bunches!

Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com