Leftovers

I'm intrigued by the differences in two stories about handling leftovers.  The first is the story of the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan (Exodus 16) and the second is when Jesus fed the 5000 (John 6: 5-14).

When God sent the Israelites manna to eat, He gave them very specific instructions.  They were told to each gather what they needed in the morning - about two quarts for each person in their family.  

The first unusual thing is mentioned in verse 18.  When they gathered their manna and went to measure it - no matter how much they had gathered - whether a lot or a little - it measured the same amount for each person!  Wouldn't that be helpful for those of us who tend to take larger portion sizes than would be good for us?  Or for those of us who don't choose enough of the healthy foods to eat?  What would it be like if every time we served ourselves something, it was the exact right amount?  Do you suppose God could or would perform that sort of miracle for us today if we asked Him?

The second unusual thing is discussed in verses 19 and 20.  They were told not to save any of it for the next morning.  They were to eat all of it that day.  Those that didn't follow this guideline found that it had worms in it the next day!  So many thoughts cross my mind as I think about this.  I was always taught that this was to help them learn to trust God for their daily food, and I'm sure that's one of the things it did.  But other thoughts flit through my mind as well.  I know God knew enough about food preservation that He could have made food that lasted longer - but perhaps it was a testament to the undesirability of preservatives or the value of eating fresh foods.  One of the things we've been told has contributed to obesity in this country has been the way parents used to teach their children that they must finish up what was on their plates rather than letting it go to waste.  We've thought that was a bad idea, but it sure sounds like God's telling them to do it here!  Of course, if we start out with the right amount of food, this wouldn't be an issue, would it?  

At any rate, this is quite different from the story of the feeding of the 5000 where they were TOLD to gather the leftovers so nothing was wasted! What was different? It seems to me that in both cases, you could say God was demonstrating that we can trust God to feed us, so that wouldn't be the difference. Certainly as they gathered 12 baskets of leftovers from the small bit they started with, it helps us to understand something of the scope of the miracle, but just feeding 5000 people would have amply demonstrated that.  What was the difference?  Why were leftovers to be kept in one situation and not in the other?  

This question actually came up for me in response to a non-food issue. As I've tried to understand how to better live my life without clutter, I find myself struggling with the question of when it is prudent to save things, and when it is best to dispose of them.  And yet, the more I think about this, I realize that the Israelites were not told to dispose of food as they traveled the desert - they were to use it all instead of saving it for later.  And surely the baskets of food that were gathered after feeding the 5000 were used rather than just wasted. After all, the expressed purpose of gathering them in the first place was to prevent waste!

It's so easy to point the finger at the Israelites for not learning to trust God, but I realize that I do the same thing.  As I think about these things, my lesson for today becomes clear.  What if I lived my life in such a way that I had less things I would need to dispose of?  I need to learn to use things up!  Too often, when I see I'm getting low on something, I run out and get some more so that I won't run out (another way of saying "so I don't use it up"). This "more" that I've gotten, (with the best of intentions - it was so useful and is being discontinued, for example), often just sits and doesn't get used! In fact, I've been known to buy two of something for the express purpose of using one and still having one when I want one at some future time (that often doesn't arrive)! Or, I might see something and want to use it "someday" but someday doesn't come. Can I learn to gather only what I need for this day or this current project, and to work to use it up, making use even of the leftovers?  I find this to be a great way to stimulate creativity - to try to find a way to use the leftovers!  

While I'm sure it is sometimes appropriate to gather things in preparation for the winter or some other upcoming situation, my lesson for today is clear.  I need to learn to be comfortable with using things up!  I KNOW I can trust God to supply my needs.  I need to act like it!

Father, thank you once again for your guidance in my life.  I am so grateful for your wisdom and that you care enough to help me learn!  May I live in accordance with your will this day.  May I look to you to tell me how much of any given thing is needed as I move through my day that I may not make or buy too much.  May I learn to use things up, trusting you to supply any future needs.  Thank you, Father!