Vision Summer 2017 | Page 6

OPENING OUR LUNCH BAGS Rev. Craig Wright, Director of Mobilisation, Partnership and Development, invites us to offer the little we have, placing it at Jesus’ feet and seeing what a difference ‘together’ makes. “I’m not sure that I’ve got anything to offer.” It’s something that Global Interaction State Directors often hear as they explore the possibility that God might be calling a person into global cross-cultural mission. We read the statistics; over 3 billion people are members of least-reached people groups where they have likely never been introduced to Jesus in a way that is culturally understandable for them. We hear stories about the challenges many in these communities face and we can feel inadequate as we look at the task. Two-thousand years ago on a hillside beside Lake Galilee, Jesus’ disciples felt overwhelmed too. “Feed them”, He said. The task was enormous. Thousands of people had followed Him, hoping to see and experience the healing and hope that they longed for but now they were hungry. “Six months’ wages wouldn’t do it,” said Philip. “Send them off and let them fend for themselves!” said others. Andrew looked around. “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” “What do I have to offer?” It may seem like not very much when compared to the need and the cost of meeting that need. And that is where we can let it sit, sometimes for years, sometimes for ever. The call on our heart overawed by our assessment of the improbability of the task. “You can have my lunch, mister,” says the boy. And Jesus takes that lunch, blesses it and as a r