Richelle Hofer

After I wrote my last blog about how maybe we’re putting too much hope in the government to carry out what Jesus actually asked us to do… I’ll be honest.

I started second-guessing myself.

Because the problems we face are massive. Poverty. Injustice. Hunger. Health care. Housing. Immigration. Education. You name it—there’s a crisis tied to it.

Realistically the government has more resources, more reach, and more infrastructure to deal with these issues than I do. So logically—logically—shouldn’t our time and energy be spent advocating for and pressuring political systems to fix what’s broken? Isn’t that the most efficient use of our effort?

It feels like it should be.

But then again, there’s very little about Christianity that’s logical.

It’s not logical to bless your enemies.
It’s not logical to walk away from power.
It’s not logical to wash the feet of the person who will betray you.
It’s not logical to believe a crucified man is the hope of the world.

And it’s definitely not logical to feed a crowd of thousands with five loaves and two fish.

And yet…

I imagine the disciples felt the same way when they saw a hungry crowd of thousands… and looked down to find five loaves and two fish.

“Jesus, seriously? This isn’t enough.”

But it was.

Because what we bring—however small—becomes more than enough in the hands of Jesus.

We keep asking, “Why won’t the government fix this?”

And I think Jesus is asking, “Why won’t you bring your lunch?”

It’s easier to believe that the government should save the world than to believe that we were asked to. But Jesus didn’t lobby for better politics. He started a revolution of love that’s lasted 2000 years, with twelve ordinary people.

So no, one person can’t save the world…

Or can they?