I have not seen the movie, "Pay It Forward" but have often heard the phrase and seen examples. I've even watched some excerpts and trailers on YouTube.
Pay It Forward Scene
The concept of doing something for three people that they could not do for themselves and then encouraging them in turn to do for three other people and so on and so on is quite intriguing. Of course, like a pyramid marketing plan, it depends on each person doing their part to keep the multiplication process going. Similar plans have been promoted for church/disciple multiplication and even for serving others in ministry settings. The great thing about the spiritual realm though is that the power and results are not in our hands, but in God's. Our part is the obedience aspect.
Similar to the disciples responsibility in the account from John, though they did not understand or even conceive the possibility of feeding so many, they were simply called upon to be obedient. Jesus provided the power and results. The disciples merely obeyed the Teacher, and witnessed the miracle. Not to mention, gathered up the "left-overs."
Here are some points for us to take away:
1. Don't focus or worry about our limited ability. We need to recognize that the Lord of the universe has all power to accomplish His will.
2. We need to be willing to surrender what we call "ours" to His service. Just as the boy gave up his lunch we should consider what God has put in our hands to "give up."
3. We need to trust God to use it to His glory. No need to be concerned with getting the recognition for ourselves, just recognize God.
Here's a quote from Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati: "Small things done with great love will change the world."
Final notes:
As we go through this day I pray we will be faithful and obedient. Let's see what God will do.
Here's a good song to end with: "Go"
"Go" Hillsong United
Thanks to Lifeway and the KNOWN curriculum -- check it out at www.lifeway.com/known
