Ownership

There is a huge difference between a team made up of coaches and athletes who go through the motions and hope good things happen, and a team of coaches and athletes who each willingly own their part and make great things happen.

It’s amazing to think that the Creator of the universe even considers involving that which He has created when demonstrating His divine power. 

There was a crowd of over five thousand people who had flocked to a remote place to see Jesus. It was late in the day. His disciples encouraged Jesus to send everyone into town so they could buy food. His reply?

“You give them something to eat” -- Mark 6:37 (CSB).

Wait. The disciples had grown accustomed to bringing people to Jesus and watching Him do a divine act. Now He was intentionally involving them and elevating their responsibility in a divine act. They immediately pushed back against the challenge with a classic human response, “We don’t have enough money or resources.” Jesus was never after their money or resources; He didn’t need them. He was God! He was after their ownership in His divine plan. 

He could have simply waved His hand and made a plate full of food miraculously appear in front of each person in the crowd. It would have been easy, immediate, and taken the miracle to an even higher legendary status. But instead, He challenged His key leaders to help make it happen. He allowed them to freak out and make excuses. He then gave them tasks to involve them in the coming miracle. Go find some food. Organize the people into manageable groups. Distribute the food. Bring back the leftovers. It took more time and involved an increased risk of them messing things up like they usually did. But Jesus understood the power that ownership unleashes. 

They were no longer spectators. Neither are you.

I believe everyone, at some point in their lives, wants to be part of a great cause against all odds. They don’t want to watch it happen. They want to help make it happen. Unfortunately, we can easily drift toward a comfortable, spectator status. Spectators never make anything happen. They just spectate.

God is looking for those who will gladly own their part in His divine plan. 

“You give them something to eat.” The same challenge echoes to us. Own it and be a part of a miracle that God wants to do in the people that surround you each day. 

Reflection:

Is there an opportunity around you that could use your ownership? If not, ask God to bring an opportunity to you and be ready!

Verses

• Mark 6:37-44 
• Joshua 1:16