Christian Latina Leadership Blog

By Carolyn Porterfield

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Some Gospel stories are memorable, like Jesus feeding the five thousand in John 6:1-15. Initially, I thought its main point was Jesus feeding the hungry out of compassion. However, a deeper look reveals a leadership lesson valuable for personal growth.

This story exemplifies leadership development. Jesus had chosen twelve men as his team to continue his mission after he was gone. He needed them to understand and carry out the mission he entrusted to them.

In this story, Jesus knew he wanted to feed the crowd following him. He asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people?” Philip remarked that the cost was too high to accomplish what Jesus intended.

I understand Philip’s situation. I once managed a creative team with expensive ideas, and my initial response was often “We don’t have money for that,” which stifled their creativity and hindered our mission. What if Jesus had agreed with Philip and sent the people away?

Andrew brought a boy to Jesus who had five small barley loaves and two fish. Considering the large crowd to feed, Andrew questioned the adequacy of this small amount. Have you ever had a similar experience as a leader? You have some resources, but they seem so inadequate for the mission.

A nonprofit organization in California aimed to provide food and housing for the homeless. Resources were limited. A large project was initiated to construct a new facility, but some city and neighborhood leaders raised objections that could halt the project. A considerable amount of money was required to finish the building, and there was a strict deadline that had to be met, or the project was finished.

During an emergency board meeting, fund-raising suggestions were repeatedly rejected until a member proposed a different option. He said he had seen what man could do. Now he wanted to see what God could do. The people prayed and went home. The next morning God provided just what was needed. The building opened, and the mission to feed and house the homeless continued.

On a grassy knoll in Galilee, Jesus’ team saw what he could do. He took what was offered, gave thanks for it, and instructed the disciples to give the loaves and fish to the people. There was more than enough with twelve baskets of barley loaves left over.

This story outlines three important aspects for leaders to understand. 1) God’s work 2) done God’s way 3) will have the necessary resources God will provide. Remember, you are carrying out the tasks God has entrusted to you. God has given you talents, skills, experiences, and relationships that shape you into the person God has created you to be.

Sometimes you might feel inadequate, like Philip who doubted his ability to secure the needed funds, or Andrew who offered loaves and fish but lacked faith it would be enough. 

Jesus took what seemed inadequate in the eyes of the disciples and gave thanks for it. Too often we focus on what we think we lack instead of acknowledging what we have. Give thanks to God for all God has given you – your mind, talents, skills, spiritual gifts, and passion to help others and bring lasting change. Offer all of that to God so he can bless it.

As a young college graduate, God called me to go to Japan to share the gospel. Not knowing the language or culture was compounded by feelings of inadequacy. One morning in desperation I told God why I should not be in Japan because of all the things I was not and could not do. God gently reminded me to lift my eyes to him because he was the maker of heaven and earth. God told me I was his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do the good things he had already prepared for me to do. I looked around at the beautiful countryside and thought of the wonderful Japanese people. If God could do that, he could take my “loaves and fishes” and use them to share the gospel.

My prayer of desperation turned into a prayer of thanksgiving. God took what I offered, blessed it, and it was enough. God showed me where to use my talent for singing and playing the guitar to share the gospel in churches, at a nursing school, and the community center where I worked. God wanted me to use my ability to type as a doorway to teach typing and disciple a new believer. God used my spiritual gift of teaching to bless my ESL students. When we do God’s work God’s way, God will provide the resources we need to do what he has asked of us.

What is that seemingly impossible thing God is asking of you in this season of your life? Are you willing to give God what you have and trust him to bless it for his glory and the good of others? You never know. God may want to use you to help feed five thousand people.