God Is In the Details

John 6:1-15 records what many of us know as “The Feeding of the Five Thousand”.  It’s a very familiar story, both to those within Christian circles and  those without.  It’s a story we’ve heard numerous times, and we’ve heard it in ways that point out all the various elements.  The miracle of Jesus.  The compassion of Jesus.  The doubt, obedience, and then wonder of the disciples.  The crowds who were hungry…for truth and for food.  We’ve even heard this story from the perspective of the little boy who was willingly to give all he had to Jesus.  Jesus takes the small gift and multiplies it for His glory!

But what about the fish?  Recently I’ve been thinking about this story from the perspective of the fish.  (I may just have fishing on my mind, being  that my wife and I are leaving next week for Table Rock Lake, or maybe there’s something profitable and edifying here as well).  At first glance the fish seem to be the most insignificant part of the story.  They’re just fish.  Small, smelly, and insignificant to most people.  But God, in His sovereignty, had a plan for “these fish.”  And so one day they were free, swimming around and doing whatever fish do, then suddenly they were caught, prepared, and then brought by a little boy who had come to see Jesus.  God is in the details.

Looking at the Biblical narrative, verse 6 says that Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do.  In other words, long before the disciples found the lad with the bread and fish, Jesus knew about him and Jesus knew about the bread and fish.  Don’t miss this: the fish were part of the plan!  Not the most important part, nor the most notable part, but they were part of what Jesus was planning to do to show His glory.  God is in the details.

At the risk of others misunderstanding what I’m saying, let me be clear: the fish are not the point of the story.  However, I do believe the fish remind us of just how much God was in control as He prepared to show His power through the teaching of His Son, Jesus.  One day I believe God moved these fish to be at a particular spot, so that they might be caught and then prepared, so they they might be part of a miracle that would show thousands that Jesus was more than just a man (v.14).

God is in the details.  I hope that encourages you, especially as you face situations that seem impossible and out of your control.  God is fully aware of the details, and you never know what seemingly insignificant things He might use to put His power on display in your life.