“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”

(Luke 9:16,17 NIV)

My collie Bonnie, has suffered with arthritis for five years.  Different supplements and medications were tried to ease her symptoms, but until about a year ago, nothing worked well for long.  Even now, with a drug which makes her life much more comfortable, getting up and down is always an effort, yet she remains happy and even tempered, fighting the good fight, with graciousness and strength, amidst her pain.

Many of us suffer from challenges similar to Bonnie’s.  Chronic or deteriorating health problems have been and always will be part of life.  Struggling with emotional pain, relationship complexities and work aggravations are also simply part of living, much like Bonnie however, amidst it all, we too can rise with grace and strength above our pains and difficulties, when we remember what God is able to do for us.

The disciples were in a quandary when Jesus told them to feed the thousands of people who had come far from town to listen to him.  Jesus however, calmly and simply took the five loaves and two fishes that had been gathered from amongst the crowd, and with them, by looking to His Father in faith and with thanksgiving, He not only fed all who were there, but twelve basketfuls of broken pieces were left over.  Those loaves and fishes were multiplied for the need at hand.

Likewise, Christ is able to do the same for us, no matter what our plight may be. All we need to do is to be willing, by faith with thanksgiving, to offer up to Him, the little we may have, be it strength, patience, finances, faith, resources, time, insight or courage. Whatever pittance is ours to offer, Christ is able to take it and multiply it to meet our need day in and day out, so that we may move forward fighting the good fight and thereby be a witness to the power of God within us, to all those around us.

Today, you may feel you are lacking what it takes to fight the good fight amidst your circumstances.  If so, take heart and in faith with thanksgiving, offer up to God the resources you have, large or small and know that he will meet your need, just as He met those of Christ’s, so long ago.

Prayer: Father God thank You that You can be counted on to multiply the resources we offer up to You so that our need for fighting the good fight, day in and day out, will not only be met, but will also be a witness to others.  In Christ’s name. Amen.

Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada