all I have.

I don’t really share much about what I do for a living on a daily basis, but a benefit to my job duties that I never really stopped to consider is having the privilege of hearing from countless incredible people from a wide variety of industries on a weekly basis. It’s actually pretty incredible when I stop and think about it.

There is something to be said about truly learning life-changing things from people you seemingly have little to nothing in common with. That is exactly what happened to me recently.

As someone who works in marketing, I am embarrassed to admit that I am not an art person. I know, I know! I am ashamed! Please don’t boo me or roll your eyes! Okay fine, maybe I deserve an eye roll or two. I can fully appreciate the idea of raw talent and passion, but the eye for art is just not there for me. However, I was recently confronted with a work of art that stopped me in my tracks. I’ve never identified with a work of art more. Actually, I don’t think I’ve identified with a work of art…ever. But alas, this one got me.

The incredibly talented Rachel Wimpey stood before me with her original work titled “All I Have” and explained the powerful image in a way that I will never forget. The painting (found here) depicts the story of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand found in John 6. In this story, a little boy offers up his five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus takes the bread and fish, and he multiplies it to feed 5,000 people.

I grew up going to church starting at a pretty young age. In junior high and high school, I’d drag myself out of bed for Sunday School and rush home on Wednesdays to make it to youth group. I’ve heard this story a million times. Most visual depictions of this miracle include images of Jesus handing out the multiplied bread and fish. And yeah, I always thought it was cool. But isn’t every miracle Jesus performs pretty cool? Kind of like art. I know it’s there and I know it’s awesome, but I’ve never really stopped to marvel in its actual splendor. Until Rachel Wimpey came along and inspired me to see it from a whole new perspective that I can relate to on a whole new level now.

She spoke about this miraculous event from the perspective of the boy, and she told the story through his faith. Here he was, just a small boy with little to offer. But what did he do? He offered up to Jesus what little he had. He probably thought to himself, “this is crazy, and probably won’t make a difference, but it’s all I have”. And what did Jesus do? He took the small offering and fed 5,000 hungry people!

What if the boy would have thought “this can’t help that many people so I’ll just keep it to myself”. Crazy to think how things could have been different!

I’ll be honest, I’ve been struggling a little bit lately with my passion and desire to help others live healthy and fulfilling lives. Last year, a fire was lit inside of me to share and help others, and I was so inspired! I was constantly thinking of awesome things to say and having some really great conversations with people about health and fitness. I began telling myself and those around me that I was going to make an impact and show people that they can achieve health and fitness goals too! And then as I got “busy” and fell back into my mundane day-to-day routines, the excitement began to slowly wear off, the flame dwindled to a flicker, and I began to question if little old me could ever really make an impact with my measly Instagram and a passion for a misunderstood “MLM” (which is a major hot topic for a different kind of blog post ;)). But ya know what?

This painting re-ignited that fire. Because those things might be “All I Have” but if there is anything to learn from this boy and his five loaves and two fish, it’s that Jesus can take what little we have, and use it to make a mighty impact. But we have to be the ones to first decide to offer it up to Him. Holding it all back for ourselves will not impact anyone. So why not at least try?

I believe that God gives us each talents, gifts, and ideas for a reason. He wants us to live lives that we are passionate about and that we are excited to share with others! Whether that be through showing compassion and care as a nurse, through traveling the world and showing others the beauty of creation, through managing a team of professionals, or even through showing others how they can live healthier lives. He wants us to make an impact! But we first have to acknowledge “All we Have”, and we have to be willing to offer it to Him to turn into miracles.

So, from here on out, I will use this boy and his faithful offering as my inspiration! To come to Jesus with my passion, excitement, and Instagram as “All I Have” and ask Him to use it in powerful ways!

If you didn't already, I highly encourage you to take a look at Rachel Wimpey's "All I Have" and reflect on what you might have to offer that you previously thought was insignificant. Not only could it change your life, but the lives of 5,000 others.