Inspirational

Have you ever looked out over a crowd, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer need around you? It’s easy to think we can’t possibly make a difference, but what if I told you that just like the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, every small act of kindness has the power to change lives? In our previous post we talked about “you feed them” and offered some practical tips to follow. Today we want to share few tangible ways to feeding the 5000. I’ve come to realise that the journey of helping others starts right where we are, with what we have, and with a willingness to share. Whether it’s offering our time, pooling resources with friends, or simply being there for someone in need. We can create ripples of hope in our communities. Let’s take a closer look at the practical steps we can take to answer this call and truly become the hands and feet of Christ in a world that so desperately needs us. 1. Volunteer Your Time One of the most meaningful ways we can serve is by giving our time. Volunteering isn’t just about handing out food; it’s about being present with those who are struggling. Organisations like Feeding America offer a multitude of opportunities for involvement. Whether it’s assisting at a local soup kitchen or helping organise a community meal, your time will contribute to lifting the spirits of those who feel overlooked. As Proverbs 3:27 reminds us, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it.” Every hour you give has the potential to transform someone’s life. 2. Start or Join a Volunteer Group Community has the power to multiply efforts. When people come together with a shared mission, incredible things can happen. If the idea of feeding the hungry resonates with you, why not start or join a local volunteer group? Groups like Meals on Wheels connect volunteers with homebound individuals who might otherwise be forgotten. By pooling resources and talents, we can maximise our impact, sharing the burden and making the task of helping others less overwhelming. As Galatians 6:2 encourages us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Together, we can support one another and carry the weight of those in need. 3. Use Financial Resources Wisely It’s important to be thoughtful when it comes to financial assistance. While grand gestures are admirable, it’s often the smaller, more immediate acts that make the greatest difference. Look around your community; there may be families or individuals who are struggling to put food on the table. Your financial contributions can make an immediate difference in their lives, paving the way for larger efforts as your ability to help grows. As Luke 16:10 reminds us, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” Trustworthiness with small amounts is a crucial step in this journey. 4. Provide Value Beyond Food Feeding the hungry is not just about providing physical nourishment; it’s also about offering support in other forms. Sometimes, those who are struggling need more than just a meal—they might need guidance, encouragement, or a listening ear. Consider: These acts provide nourishment for the soul. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” It’s these personal connections that can truly bring hope and healing. 5. Start Small and Scale Up Too often, we think that real change has to be big to matter. But that’s simply not true. Start small, with one person or one family who needs help, and let that grow from there. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement. From sharing a meal with a neighbour to organising a community pantry, small acts can snowball into larger efforts. Think of the loaves and fishes—what seemed like a small offering became a feast for thousands. As Matthew 14:19 tells us, God can take what little we have and make it much more. Embrace the beauty of starting where you are, with what you have. Every small step brings us closer to fulfilling the call to feed the 5,000, whether that means literally providing meals or metaphorically offering support to those in need around us. You never know how one small gesture could set off a chain of significant changes. 6. Encouragement in Every Act Every little bit counts. Let’s join together to uplift the needy in our communities, ensuring no one feels forgotten or unseen. As we answer the call to action, let’s remember that we’re part of something much greater. We can change lives—one meal, one moment, one connection at a time. Here are some global organisations, primarily Christian, that help needy communities: As we reflect on how we can feed the 5,000, it’s important to remember that meaningful change often starts from humble beginnings. Each action we take, no matter how small, echoes in the lives of those we touch. Whether you decide to volunteer your time, pool resources with others, or offer support beyond just food, know that your efforts are contributing to a more compassionate and hopeful community. Don’t underestimate the impact a single meal or small act of kindness can have—it could be the spark that ignites hope in someone’s life. So, let’s take that first step, come together, and be the hands and feet that lift up those around us. After all, every act of giving, no matter how small, has the potential to transform lives. Who will you reach out to today?

I recently visited Linc Church in Salt Rock, Durban, South Africa, where the lead pastor shared a word that has stayed with me since then. “You feed them” was the main point of the message. You see, I have always wondered why bad things happen to good people. or to people in general. Why would someone be born and die in slavery? What wrong did they do? Where is God in all of this? At some point, I found myself doubting, wrestling with the million-dollar question: Where is God in all of this? Then, I encountered Mark 6:37. In this passage, the disciples notice that the people following Jesus are hungry. They come to Him and ask Him to release the crowd so they can go and find food. But Jesus’ response is unexpected: “You feed them.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money[g] to buy food for all these people!” – Mark 6:37 (NIV) That response must have been as puzzling to the disciples as it was to me. They immediately replied, “With what?” How could they possibly provide for over 5,000 people with their limited resources? In the end, Jesus fed the crowd with five loaves and two fish that the disciples brought to Him. This story holds a powerful truth: God’s plan for justice and provision in the world often begins with us. We are the answer. God has placed us here to do something about the injustice in the world, but there is a process we must follow. 1. Identifying and Acknowledging the Problem The disciples noticed the people’s hunger. They didn’t overlook it or pretend it wasn’t there. They saw the need and brought it to Jesus. In business, we call this identifying a pain point—a problem that needs solving. Likewise, we cannot solve problems we refuse to acknowledge. Whether it’s poverty, injustice, oppression, or suffering, our first step is to open our eyes. God doesn’t call us to be passive observers; He calls us to recognize the brokenness around us. 2. Take It to God First The disciples’ solution was to send the people away to fend for themselves, but at least they took the problem to Jesus first. They didn’t try to fix it on their own. We often have a burden for justice. We want to see suffering end and righteousness prevail. However, before we act, we must first take the issue to God. Without His guidance and power, we can accomplish nothing. Prayer is our starting point, aligning our hearts with God’s will before we step into action. 3. Accept the Calling Jesus’ answer was clear: “You feed them.” That’s where most of us hesitate. It’s easy to acknowledge a problem and pray about it, but when God calls us to take action, we start making excuses. The disciples had the same response: “With what?” They knew their budget wasn’t enough. They had questions, doubts, and fears, but they still listened to Jesus and sought a solution. We have to accept that we are part of the answer. We are called to feed, rescue, and help those in need. It won’t be easy, but it is our responsibility. 4. Five Loaves and Two Fish: Surrendering What You Have The disciples brought five loaves and two fish to Jesus. It was small, insignificant compared to the massive need. But that’s where God works best—with what we already have. What do you have in your hands? Your skills, finances, time, influence- whatever it is, surrender it to God. You may think it’s too little to make a difference, but God sees it as a starting point. 5. Give Thanks Before the Breakthrough Before multiplying the bread, Jesus gave thanks. He gave thanks for what was not yet enough. That alone is a lesson in faith. We often wait until we see the miracle to be grateful, but Jesus teaches us to thank God before the provision comes. Whatever you have, be grateful for it. Praise God in advance for what He is about to do. Gratitude positions us for the miraculous. 6. You Feed Them Only with God’s help can we fulfill the calling He has given us. The disciples distributed the food, but Jesus was the one who multiplied it. They could not have done it on their own, but because they trusted and obeyed, thousands were fed. Likewise, we cannot do this alone. God will bring like-minded people alongside us, just as the disciples worked together. It wasn’t Peter or John alone—it was the disciples with Jesus in their midst who fed the 5,000. Final Thoughts Jesus’ words, “You feed them,” were not just for the disciples. They are for you and me. God sees the suffering in the world, and He is calling us to do something about it. We are not powerless. We have been placed here for a purpose. The question is, will we answer the call? Start with what you have. Give it to God. And trust Him to do the rest. Wait! Before you go, check our earlier post: The only 3 things you need to change the world.

So, I was watching Squid Game. Now, let me be upfront: it’s not a Christian show, and I’m not recommending anyone to watch it. But something caught my attention—the moment of realisation. It’s a powerful and sobering moment, one that stayed with me long after. To give you an idea, the premise of Squid Game is simple: 456 people willingly sign up to play children’s games in hopes of winning 45.6 billion won. However, what they don’t realise when signing the consent form is that they are putting their very lives on the line. By the end, 455 of them are dead. What struck me the most was during the first game—when they realised the gravity of the situation. The innocent child’s game turned into a deadly nightmare, and panic spread as they saw the consequences of their decision. It’s a sad moment, but also a point of realisation. It reminded me of the Old Testament stories, where people only realised the consequences of their actions when it was too late. Lessons from History Take Sodom and Gomorrah. The people there were living in sin, ignoring God’s warnings, until fire rained down and destroyed everything. Or think about Noah’s Ark. For years, Noah preached and built the ark, but no one listened. It wasn’t until the floodwaters rose that they realised Noah was right—but by then, the door was shut, and their chance was gone. We’re supposed to learn from history, to take these warnings and live differently. But instead, it seems we’re repeating the same mistakes. Just look at the world today. We don’t want to access Christ. Preachers are preaching, but many don’t want to hear the message. Instead, we’re busy normalising and legalising what God clearly calls sin. Holiness is now a rarity. Even within the house of God, corruption often reigns. It’s disheartening because, for many, the moment of realisation will come too late. Jesus warned us of this when He said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23) The Hard Truth I know it’s not easy to hear this. Sometimes, we need a hard truth to shake us awake. Apostle Michael Orokpo once said something that hit me: “We are not here to last. We are here to change generations.” That’s a call to action. We don’t have the luxury of time to indulge in sin and hope for last-minute repentance. Our generation needs the bold, judgmental messages—the ones that tell us sin is sin. We can’t keep sugar-coating the gospel with “Jesus loves you” when people are living in open rebellion against God. Love doesn’t leave someone in their sin; it calls them to repentance. A Story That Could Be Ours Think about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man had everything in life but ignored God. When he died, he found himself in torment, begging for relief that would never come. Meanwhile, Lazarus, the poor beggar, was comforted in Abraham’s bosom. This story mirrors what will happen to many if they don’t repent. Like the rich man, they will face the reality of their choices too late. They’ll see the consequences but will have no way to change them. It’s scary to think about, but it’s the truth. We can’t afford to wait until the moment of realisation when there’s no turning back. Learning from Jesus’ First Message When Jesus began His ministry, His first message was simple but profound: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) That word—repent—is at the heart of the gospel. It’s not about fear-mongering; it’s about hope. Jesus is offering us a chance to turn away from sin and turn to Him. It’s an invitation to change before it’s too late. What Will You Do? As I reflect on the gravity of the moment of realisation, I feel an urgency to share this message. The world may ignore Christ, but you don’t have to. You can choose to learn from history, to listen to the warnings, and to turn to God before it’s too late. The truth is, none of us are promised tomorrow. The choices we make today matter. Will you wait for the moment of realisation when there’s no way back? Or will you take Jesus’ call to repentance seriously now? I leave you with this: don’t wait for the moment of realisation. Make the decision today to turn to Christ. Learn from the warnings of Scripture, and let your life reflect God’s holiness. As Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The time is now.