Food for Thought

Recently, I attended a conference with my parents. There was breakfast, some speakers, lunch, speakers, dinner...and fun. I did not attend the speakers....but I was there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ;) There was good conversation and good food. The food was served buffet/cafeteria style. There were many workers keeping the serving dishes filled and the line moving efficiently. There were approximately 350-400 people for each meal.

I also know there were the behind the scenes workers. The cooks, dishwashers, and the clean up crew all helped to keep things moving and ready for the next meal. They were good at their jobs, helping when needed, and making it all look easy. People that are good at their jobs always seem to have this skill.

On the other hand, put me in a commercial kitchen and I wouldn't even know where to start. I might be able to muddle through to fill serving dishes. I know I would never make it as a waitress without spilling. I can barely (and rarely do) make dishes for my own little family of 4. I have a hard time coordinating dishes to come out at the same time so that the hot dishes stay hot and cold dishes are cool!

I've been to other events and watched food service workers move in coordination to get a large amount of meals served in a timely manner. I've been to conferences that served from a seeming mountain of boxed lunches to hungry conference goers. We are not always the nicest people when we are hungry and/or thirsty so this can be QUITE the job.

It made me think this particular time though....this is "just" about 400 people. I've read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. I also discovered in the Bible that this had happened MORE than once. There was also a time of 4,000 (Matthew 15)....just men AND then additionally women and children!

Food for Thought:

God will meet BASIC needs first and then deal with the rest.

God is a God of MORE than enough. Both times of miracle feedings there was extra left over. The 5,000 there were 12 BASKETS of food left from starting with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Hmmmm....maybe one for each of the disciples?

God can take a little and make it a lot.

God did miracles then and still does. 

God is OK dealing with doubters.

Bread plays a major role (ohhh....punny) in the Bible. There was manna from heaven, Jesus is seen as the bread of life, last supper/communion, in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) Give us this day our daily bread

Were people really that excited to see Jesus, that they came without bringing food/basic necessities? Do WE get that excited to get into His presence?

John 6:35-40 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”