the boy I want to be . . .

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ . . . Peter’s brother spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish . . . .’” –John 6:5,8-9

Here is a boy with loaves and fishes. I want to be that boy. A boy prepared to feed his hunger. A boy who doesn’t come empty-handed to a day’s worth of doing.

Here is the Jesus with bread of his own. I want to know this Jesus. The Jesus prepared to feed my hunger. The Jesus who never comes empty-handed to a day’s worth of doing.

Here is a boy with a better agenda, not a fixed one. One not chosen for him, but one he chose for himself. I want to be that boy. A boy not conditioned by the daily norm. A boy who sets aside busyness so that he might busy himself with the business of Jesus.

Here is the Jesus whose only agenda is us. I want to know this Jesus. The Jesus who set aside heaven so that his might busy himself with and immerse himself into our mess.

Here is a boy with expectation. I want to be that boy. A boy who anticipates the outcome on the front side of its unfolding. A boy who understands that the best show in town is passing through and that, should he miss it, he won’t have any stories to tell his friends, his family, the generations to come.

Here is the Jesus who exceeds expectations. I want to know this Jesus. The Jesus who’s seen it all—from the front side of all’s unfolding until the final curtain drops. The Jesus who is the one show in town that still has folks talking some 2000 years later.

Here is a boy with open hands. I want to be that boy. A boy willing to release his provisions into the hands of Jesus so that they might abate and satisfy the hunger of others.

Here is the Jesus with open hands. I want to know this Jesus. The Jesus who willingly released his provision—all that he had—to a cross so that he might abate and satisfy the soul-hunger of everyone.

Here is a boy with a witness. I want to be that boy. A boy who knows first-hand the mighty works of God. A boy who’s been given the divine rights and benefits of sonship and who has the awesome privilege of joining his Father in kingdom ministry.

Here is the Jesus who can make it happen. The Son who knows first-hand the mighty works of his Father and who willingly grants us the gift of sacred participation along the kingdom road.

Here is a boy . . . with loaves and fishes; with a better agenda; with expectation; with open hands; with a witness.

Here is the Jesus with all of the same.

When the two collide—the boy in me and the Jesus from God—a crowd gets fed, a story gets written, and the Gospel moves forward.

Here is a boy . . . here is a girl who is ready to take on that role. How about you? Are you ready to be that boy, that girl whom God grants the privilege of sacred participation? The child who willingly releases what you have into the capable hands of Jesus so that he might bless it, break it, and feed it to the hungry?

If you’re ready, then come to the mountain this day. Christ has pitched his tent near yours. The show has already begun, and the crowd is beginning to notice its hunger. You are the one Christ has chosen to fill their need. What privilege it is to be called the sons and daughters of God! This is who we are. As always . . .

Peace for the journey,

20 Responses to the boy I want to be . . .

    • What we see as limits, God sees as limitless! Even today, there’s something in our hands that is usable for the kingdom. I know you are being faithful, Nancy. Your little has meant so much to me.

  2. I want to be like that boy, too…willingly releasing everything I have into the hands of Jesus. God is able to take our little bit and turn it into so much more. A good word for me to ponder this day, friend.

    • Your little is bigger than you think it is, Beth. Every time you make a deposit into my heart, the kingdom grows.

    • Just that one phrase, Shane… “Here is a boy”. I thought about it all weekend, about the validation in that one phrase–to be acknowledged in the midst of so many, all because of what he could bring to the equation that day. It’s just a beautiful lift to my spirit to think that God would include me in his work in some small way–to bring my little and to break it, multiply it, use it for something greater than myself. I just love that phrase “Here is a boy.” Here is Elaine; here is Shane! I see myself there…

      • Don’t you love when something new appears in the scriptures? Something thats been there all along but unnoticed? Just amazing! His Words, alive and beautiful. Ours to discover. Thank you for sharing your discovery.

  4. I’m SO ready to be “that boy”!

    I’m really glad you noticed that phrase and mulled it over in your mind, Elaine.

  6. Oh, I fear I come, all too often, empty handed and with a heart that is distracted. What a good reminder of how we need to come to Jesus…ready to be used by Him, ready to be a vessel for Him to work through. Blessings to you my friend.

  7. I can’t help thinking I want to be the mother who packs the lunch for the boy who will go! The mother who teaches her son to respect his elders with an open heart to what they can teach him.

    A mother much like Mary who pondered the Glory of GOD in her heart. And was willing to see all she loved broken if it was GOD’s will.
    Trusting that His purposes were higher and better
    than hers.

    Thanks Elaine for inspiring us once again.
    ((Hugs))

    • Another great angle to look at this story! I want to be that mom too, Jess. Thanks for the insight.

  10. wifeforthejourney:

    So much of what goes well in life has to do with our attitude, and so it is with our faith. How do I feel about myself today? How do I feel about our church today? How do I feel about the people in my life? How do I feel about God? Though my faith should not be subject (ultimately) to my emotions, no matter how I try still my “feelings” about life figure heavily into the living out of my faith.

    Is it any wonder that Jesus keeps pointing us back to the faith of a child? Children are such concrete thinkers, and so black-and-white in their conclusions. I want to be that boy…..the one that is ready to beleive, to trust, to obey AND to EXPECT! God help me to believe bigger things are possible, even when the “bigger” and “better” still seems far off. Thank you for writng such an encouraging word for us today!

    Love,
    Billy

  11. … the privilege of sacred participation … I love this. The perspective of the provider instead of the end-user. I am ready, Elaine. I know you are, too.

  14. I agree with the comment written by Jess. The boy, the mom, and Jesus – what a powerful combination. The mom who taught her son well, the boy who had a heart to obey… and Jesus, the Redeemer who was willing to lay down His life for us.

    Powerful post, Elaine. Gave me a lot to think about.

    Love
    Lidia

error: Content is protected !!