“We had dinner with some neighbors last night,” Stan began.
“Nice time?”
“It was great,” Stan replied. “It was on the spur of the moment. Our neighbors called and said, ‘You want to break bread with us?’”
“That’s a nice invitation,” I replied, “Just like Jesus and the five thousand.”
“And the four thousand; as well as in the upper room before Jesus went to the cross,” Stan replied, “where Jesus introduced communion by breaking bread with the disciples.”
Continuing, he added, “This whole idea of breaking bread reminds me of something Jesus did when the thousands were fed; something that’s essential for me in my faith walk.”
“What’s that?”
“After Jesus had blessed the food, the fish and the loaves of bread, He gave it to the disciples and the disciples gave it to the people.”
“So?”
“Jesus gave the food to the disciples, not for themselves, but so they would pass it along to the hungry crowd.”
Continuing, Stan added, “I think it’s to be the same with me. What I’m given by God I’m to pass along to others, not hoard for myself. I think I am to be a conduit.”
“A conduit?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied, “I am to pass along to others what God has so graciously given to me. That applies to physical things, but especially to spiritual things.”
“Such as what?”
“The truth of the free and gracious gift of life eternally with God for when it’s time for me to step into eternity, along with the truth of the eternal life of knowing God the Father and Jesus the Son on this side of eternity.”
“Be a conduit of the truth so others will know?”
“Exactly,” Stan replied. “I didn’t know until someone told me. And there’s a whole world of people out there who don’t know.”
Concluding, he added, “There’s a lot I don’t know, but there are some things I do know. One of those things is that I think I’m to be like the first disciples and pass along what I have been given.”
“But what if other people don’t want what you have to give them?”
“That’s up to them,” Stan replied. “I can’t force feed them! But I can be obedient in making known the truth that the food is available!”
________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
And ordering the multitudes to recline on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Matthew 14:19.
Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14, 15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for those you sent into my life to tell me the truth of your provision for life eternally with you, along with the truth of being able to pursue the eternal life of knowing you. Thank you that those people were obedient in passing along what you had given them. I confess that too often I am reluctant to pass along what you have provided, both in terms of physical and spiritual things. Please, Father, help me in following your lead so that I am the conduit you intend for me to be — a conduit of your provision. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: What does being a “conduit” of God’s provision mean to you? Do you think you are being the conduit God intends? Why or why not? If not, what would it take to be that sort of conduit? If being a conduit applies to spiritual things as well as to physical, how is that going to happen — not only for you, but for the entire church?
Waiting for the Train 