Circumstances vs Faith

Circumstances are what we see around us, real or perceived.  “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and a crowd followed, not because he was the Son of God, but because he was a miracle worker.  They wanted to see something cool, perhaps be touched or healed by him.  (John 6:1-4) 

With so many people, Jesus asked Philip where to get enough bread to feed them.  Philip was stumped.  Even a half-year’s wages wouldn’t be enough. (John 6:5-7)  Philip saw the circumstances before them, and concluded that feeding so many was impossible.

Andrew tried to problem-solve.  He suggested they use a boy’s offering of bread and fish, but then shot the idea down as fast as it came out of his mouth.  There’s no way that could work. (John 6:8-9)  So Andrew also saw the circumstances, but then tried to navigate them with his own limited thinking and ability.

Neither disciple inquired of Jesus, nor put their faith in him.  They flunked the test.  It happens.  I love how Jesus didn’t scold them or skip performing a miracle due to their lack of faith.  (John 6:10-13)  This was a teaching moment, one which they could draw from in the future. 

In times of challenge, uncertainty, fear, or doubt, it helps to remember the faithfulness of God and how he has come through for us in the past.  Remembering such “faith experiences”, or testimonies, builds our faith, enabling us to see God in our present circumstances, whatever they may be.

Speaking of circumstances, I love how the Bible specifically describes the loaves and fish as “small”.  As if too few wasn’t problem enough, they were small to boot.  I picture the smallness of the loaves and fish in contrast to the largeness of the young boy’s faith.  The boy saw the same circumstances that Philip and Andrew did – thousands of hungry people.  But he must have also had faith that his offering could be used in some way, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought it forward.

Sometimes we think we don’t have anything valuable or worthwhile to offer.  Or we think we don’t have enough for ourselves, let alone all the needs out there.  We let circumstances get the best of us. 

Hebrews 4:1-3 explains how the Israelites didn’t receive the full benefit of God’s Word, His promises, power and presence, because they didn’t have faith.  We should never judge a situation based on the circumstances we see.  Rather, we should look to the Word of God.

So as one of our faith experiences, we should remember this story.  How Jesus was able to multiply so very little, and how the boy’s meager offering went down in eternity as fueling a major miracle of God. 

This teaches that we only need to do what we can, to offer what we have and not what we don’t, and to have faith in God to do the rest.  Don’t talk yourself out of giving or serving because circumstances seem to imply you can’t make a difference.  Because God’s Word tells you otherwise.

I wonder how many miracles Jesus has performed through my meager offerings.  And I wonder how many have been missed because I lacked the faith to give.