Article written by Amy Ward
I am convinced that I cannot begin to tell my story, without telling His story.
God’s story is a story of love, of legacy, of blessings amid painful circumstances, of His strength that never runs low, of comfort and guidance on the darkest days, and praise and joy on the brightest days.
Recently, I was using the Abide meditation app to study scripture. I was reminded how God multiplies our impact when we trust Him. The scripture for the day was one that I’d read many times as I studied the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. But this time, I saw things in a different light. John 6:8-9 ““Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?””
During the guided meditation, the guide said, “Your impact is not limited to your capacity or your resources.”
In the hands of Jesus, the boy’s small lunch fed 5,000 with twelve baskets of scraps left over. Isn’t it remarkable that the number of baskets of scraps was the same number of disciples that Jesus had? Here’s the truth that stopped me in my tracks that day – scripture doesn’t record any doubt or hesitation on the part of the boy who gave his lunch to the disciples. Only a willingness to share the resources that he possessed.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
We are not responsible for the outcome.
We are responsible for our obedience to God’s word and His leading.
God controls the impact of our obedience, including the exponential growth that He sometimes adds to our obedience to Him.
Read more: 20 Meaningful Verses about Purpose
3 WAYS GOD MULTIPLIES AND MAKES AN IMPACT BEYOND OUR CAPACITY AND RESOURCES
1. God multiplies our capacity to serve
Recently, I had been praying about how to meet the needs of a loved one that seemed like more than I could handle. A few days later, my loved one’s doctor told me about a group of people who had not only the desire to help, but the capacity to meet needs that I couldn’t. I contacted them and they were happy to help.
Thank you, Jesus, for the love and care that this group of people has already begun to show to my loved one. I can impact my loved one with the capacity that I have. God provided the resources to meet the remaining needs.
2. God multiplies our capacity to teach
I’ve sung the hymn, “In the Garden” to my toddler grandson since he was an infant, to soothe him and get him to sleep. Several weeks ago, he asked me to find, “Gala” and play it on my phone. I looked up the song on YouTube and we began to listen. The singer sang the first verse and the chorus, then skipped to the third verse. My grandson began exclaiming, “No, Nana. No. ‘Posed to sing, ‘He speaks.’ ‘Posed to sing, ‘He speaks’”. I had no idea that he knew the words to the song, even as many times as I had sung it to him over his young life. The second verse of the hymn begins, “He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet, the birds hush their singing.”
God multiplied my capacity to love and comfort my grandson by instilling the words to this simple song into his memory.
3. God multiplies the impact of our everyday activities
Several years ago, two men I worked with became ill at work. As head of human resources, I accompanied the men to the doctor and sat with them for several hours while they waited to have some tests run to see why they were feeling ill. Their tests turn out fine and they were able to return home.
Over a year later, I overheard one of the men telling a new employee that I loved people and how much it had meant to him when I sat with him at the doctor’s office when he felt sick. I was stunned to realize that God had used something so simple to touch the heart of my coworker.
Read More: 12 Bible Verses about Your Identity in Christ
Now, when I think about my limited capacity and resources, I am reminded of God’s supernatural ability to multiply them. When I humbly offer what I have, God will take care of the rest.
Psalm 73:26 has been a favorite scripture of mine for over three decades. It comforts me when I feel inadequate and reminds me of God’s strength in my weakness.
My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
When God is my strength and I faithfully give Him the praise for providing it to me, I can rest in the knowledge that He is able to take my limited capacity and increase it to further His kingdom.
How have you seen God multiply your capacity and resources?
Meet Amy Ward
Amy Ward is a Christ-follower, wife, mother and Nana. She lives with her family in Arkansas, United States. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking gluten-free, making jewelry, and spending quality time with her family. You can reach her at amy@rewardedcopy.com or visit her website at www.rewardedcopy.com.
I love that God is in the multiplying business.