Daily Devotional: The greater miracle

"And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children." — Matthew 14: 20-21

There is an ongoing argument about the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Many adamantly declare that Jesus performed a miracle, a God-sign, and in a way that is beyond our understanding, multiplied a few fish and some bread to feed 5,000 with the leftovers.

Others, less inclined to the supernatural, take the “Stone Soup” approach. They believe that as Christ began to share what little was available, the hearts of the people were changed and warmed. The food they had been hoarding, they now shared and there was an abundance.

Me? I have zero problems with the miraculous, having been brought up in an age of human-designed miracles. The idea that God can do things outside my understanding is easy for me.

But in my later years, I’ve come to know that the greatest miracle is the changing of hearts. Especially my own.

Prayer: Lord, this Season of Thankfulness, open my heart to the needs around me, and change my heart where there’s room for growth.

Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has books of devotions available locally at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: The greater miracle