Put It in the Basket: In God’s Hands, Little Becomes Much

Sometimes, our God-given purpose doesn’t align with our personal preferences. We may not like the path He has charted for us, but as Dr. GreGory reminded us in his sermon, our calling is something we must fulfill—and once we step into it, we often grow to love it. Below are some key takeaways from this life-giving sermon.

You May Not Like Your Purpose—But You Will Fulfill It

Dr. GreGory candidly shared that he never planned on becoming a pastor. Yet God’s purposes prevailed, and he now ministers powerfully to many people. This resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to say yes to God. Our initial resistance doesn’t negate His call; rather, it confirms that sometimes, we have to surrender our own plans. Once you start walking in your divine purpose, you’ll discover joy and fulfillment you never imagined.

True Greatness May Be in the Smallest Acts of Kindness

Pastor recounts ordinary, humble moments—picking up something someone dropped in a grocery store or tying an elderly man’s shoelace—reminding us that “mighty acts” aren’t always grand, public spectacles. Sometimes God’s power is revealed in everyday acts of service. In a world enamored with platform and prestige, it is crucial to remember that God sees and honors the smallest gestures of compassion.

Sit Down, Be Quiet, and Let Jesus Do the Miracle

In John 6, Jesus has the crowd sit on the grass before He multiplies the loaves and fishes. Dr. GreGory emphasizes that sometimes we need to stop trying to make things happen in our own strength and simply sit down—resting in the presence of God. We often forget that Jesus already knows what He’s going to do (John 6:6). When we lay aside our anxiety and take a seat, we allow Him to work miracles without our interference.

Gather the Fragments and Put Them in the Basket

After feeding the multitude, Jesus instructed His disciples to collect every remaining piece of bread so that nothing would be wasted. Pastor explains that these fragments can represent the leftover “broken pieces” in our own lives—hurts, disappointments, or doubts we cling to. We must gather them up and place them at Jesus’s feet. When we give Him the fragments, He can turn them into blessings and testimonies of His power.

The Little Child Didn’t Need the Miracle—He Provided It

One of the most striking observations in the sermon is that the child with the five loaves and two fish already had enough food for himself. He wasn’t the one in need; instead, he became the means for others to be fed. This childlike faith teaches us to stay humble, to be prepared, and to share what we have—even if it feels insignificant. God uses our small offerings to bless others in ways we can’t imagine.

Our Pain, Our Praise, and Our Healing

Dr. GreGory recounts testimonies of church members who received miraculous healing from terminal diagnoses, reminding us that God is still in the healing business. Whether it is physical illness, emotional trauma, or spiritual distress, if we believe and take it to God in faith, He can—and will—treat it. As we praise Him in the midst of our challenges, we align ourselves with His power and open the door to healing and breakthrough.

Embrace Joy and Eternal Life

The sermon closed with a poignant reminder that our ultimate gift from God is eternal life. No matter the struggles we face, our destiny is secure in Christ. When we set our sights on eternity, we find the strength to navigate life’s darkest valleys. As Dr. GreGory says, sometimes God makes us laugh even when situations look bleak. He turns mourning into dancing, giving us joy in exchange for sorrow.

This sermon called us to examine our hearts, gather up all of our “fragments”—the broken pieces, the doubts, the fears—and hand them over to Jesus. We may not always like our God-given purpose initially, but God’s plan is far greater and more fulfilling than we could ever orchestrate ourselves. Whether it’s through a quiet act of kindness or a radical testimony of healing, He delights in using small things to accomplish monumental works. All it takes is our “yes,” our willingness to put it all in the basket, trusting that in God’s hands, little becomes much—and brokenness becomes wholeness.