• The Fragments Of Our Lives - Good Story

  Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  John 6:12-13, Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, Luke 9:16, John 6:5  (view more)  (view less)

  Tags:  Brokenness, Leftovers, Fragments, Gathering, Problems  (view more)  (view less)

  Denomination: Anglican

Hear God's Word in John's telling: BIBLE "And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten." END (John 6:12-13)

Why? ... Why gather the fragments that remain.

Why is this gathering of fragments even mentioned in the text?

Now some have used this verse ... to teach us to be good stewards ... of what God gives us ... and not waste it.

And That is certainly something we should do... as Christians.

Yet I am convinced... that Christ gathered all those fragments, ... all those broken pieces, ... all those leftovers, ... all those things that no one in the crowd wanted ... to show us an important truth.

Jesus is concerned about the fragments of our life ... he is concerned about what is left of our life ... on this side of eternity.

I want you to know this Morning ... that we serve a God ... who is concerned about ... the fragments of your life ... about what is left of your life. (Pause)

Beloved ... even though some in the world ... do not realize it ... we are a broken people ... through sin we broke our relationship ... with the living God.

In turn ... we each have fragmented ourselves ... through ... our continued sin ... against God.

These fragments ... if we let them ... can and will turn into difficulties ... into problems.

And instead of given them to the Lord ... the world calls us to quote ... "Face our Problems".

Beloved we are called to do more than face our difficulties ... we are called to do more than... face our problems.

Our Lord calls us into relationship with him ... all of our problems ... all the fragments of our life ... all of our difficulties ... we are to send them where? ... to the cross of Christ.

We are to give them to Jesus.

(Sing) Give them all ... Give Them all Jesus.

And he will turn your sorrows into Joy.

Beloved ... be assured ... Whatever has happened in your life ... God wants to gather up the fragments that remain ... all that remains ... that nothing be lost.