Beyond: Following the Way of Jesus as We Do Outreach Sample

Take Initiative 

When Jesus was on earth, he took initiative. He felt a deep compassion for those who were hurting and in need. When there was a need, Jesus responded.

When Jesus was teaching in the communities- a multitude of people started to follow him. One day when he was out among the people, he chose to feed over 5,000 people. To do this, he had to find food. Jesus told the disciples to find food and they were discouraged because they felt as though there were too many people to feed. However, Jesus insisted. The disciples found two fish and five loaves of bread and brought it back to Jesus. Jesus held the food up to God, blessed it, and it miraculously multiplied. Jesus was able to feed 5,000 people because he took initiative and responded to a need. 

How often do we see needs and feel like we cannot respond? Maybe you’re the boy with the two fish and five loaves of bread. Maybe you’re the disciple that’s discouraged by the great need you see. It doesn’t matter how you see yourself, it’s how you see God. God can take what you have and make a difference in someone else’s life. Just take the initiative and trust that God will supply.

Questions to ponder:

What do you have to give?

Where can you volunteer and offer your time and talents to meet a need?