At this year’s Global Staff Conference, Avery,* one of our global workers with Encompass World Partners, shared a powerful challenge: Can we thank God for the miracle before it happens? This thought-provoking question stems from the story of the feeding of the 5,000—a story she’s been meditating on in this season of ministry.

Avery serves alongside her husband, Justin,* and their three daughters. Over the past 20 years, their journey has taken them to four different ministry locations, beginning in Central Asia and now in Western Asia. All that change has been hard, leaving her with what sometimes feels like only very little to offer the Lord. Yet, she is learning that even when she feels unfruitful, God remains faithful.

God used the feeding of the 5,000 to encourage Avery when she was feeling weary and insufficient. Avery reminded us that this miracle occurred in a challenging time for Jesus and His disciples: they had just done a lot of ministry, and Jesus was grieving the loss of His cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus invited the disciples to rest, but their solitude was interrupted by a large, needy crowd.

Out of compassion, Jesus taught the crowd and healed them. Then He told the disciples to “give them something to eat,” which was an impossible task. The disciples assessed their five loaves and two fish and came to the (realistic) conclusion that it was “not enough.” But Jesus’ response was surprising: He took their meager offering, gave thanks for it, and performed one of the most well-known miracles in Scripture.

Avery challenged us with these truths:

• God’s ideas are so much bigger than ours.
• We can expect to be surprised by His provision.
• Jesus asks us to bring what we have, even if it feels insufficient.

The turning point in the story wasn’t just the miraculous multiplication. It was when Jesus gave thanks for what was clearly not enough. This act of gratitude before the miracle invites us to shift our perspective. Can we, like Jesus, thank God for what feels insufficient? Can we trust that His provision will not only meet the need but exceed it?

When the meal was over, there were 12 baskets of leftovers. Avery pointed out that this abundance wasn’t random. It was personal and intentional—each disciple received enough for their own “picnic.” This detail reminds us how abundant and personal God’s provision is.

As followers of Jesus, it’s easy to feel that our contributions are too small, but God doesn’t measure us by the size of our offering—He just wants us to trust Him with a willing heart. His ways are higher, better, and often surprising. When we trust His greatness, we can find joy in every season—even in the “not enough.”

Avery’s story is a beautiful reminder that our seasons of “not enough” are opportunities to see God’s greatness on display. As we trust Him to multiply what we have, let’s thank Him before the miracle comes. 

*Names changed for security