Too old? Too small? You make a difference!
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Many feel insignificant in their contribution to the Kingdom but can still make a powerful impact through humble service. Each person’s efforts, no matter how small or overlooked, hold value in God’s eyes. Like minor biblical figures who played crucial roles, everyone can honor God through sincere and prayerful actions.
Do you feel overlooked? Obscure? A low-impact person for the Kingdom? Too old to make a difference? Many people do feel that way. They yearn to ‘make a difference’ for their Savior. It’s not that they feel like they want fame or honor or popularity. With many people it’s just that they feel so grateful for their salvation and the grace Jesus has bestowed on their pitiful, sinful estate, that they want to give back in a bigger way. As our hearts grow in love for Jesus we want to do for Him in ways that honor HIM.
But sometimes we may think that where we are makes no difference. We’re ‘just’ a factory worker. We’re ‘just’ a cubicle worker. We’re ‘just’ a housewife. Where can we make a big impact for the kingdom? How?
No, in fact, whatever we do if it is in the Lord and for the Lord, it’s a powerful impact! Think of the small moments in the Bible where it was recorded and now encourages us. The poor tax collector who made one statement yet is presented to us as a model of repentance above all others!
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.‘” (Luke 18:13).
Reviled, marginalized, unknown and hated, the tax collector’s one statement is held up for all time as a model of humility, repentance, and justification! He didn’t even know this was discussed about him, either.
Let’s take a look at the excerpt from JR Miller’s essay about Hathach. Who? Exactly.
Treasures from JR Miller, (1840-1912). Hathach
Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews, and he asked Hathach to show it to Esther. He also asked Hathach to explain it to her and to urge her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message.
Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai …” Esther 4:8-10
We are apt to overlook the minor actors in Scripture stories — in our absorbed interest in the prominent ones. Yet ofttimes these lesser people are just as important in their own place, and their service is just as essential to the final success of the whole — as the greater ones.
–The little girl in the story of Naaman the leper, is scarcely seen among the splendors of the Syrian court; but without her part, we would never have had the story at all.
–The young lad with the basket, is hardly thought of when we read the account of the miracle; but they were his loaves with which the Master fed all those hungry thousands that day on the green grass.
The smallest links in a chain — are ofttimes quite as important as the greatest links.
If we cannot do brave things like Esther, nor give wise counsels like Mordecai, we may at least be useful, as Hathach
was, in faithful service. And perhaps our lowly part may some day prove to have been as essential-as the great deeds which all men praise. We may at least help some others in doing the great things that they are set to do in this world.
—end Miller
Ladies, never underestimate your impact for the kingdom. If your efforts are prayerful, earnest, and most importantly, for the Lord if you are in the Lord, He will take them and use them. No one is too young, too old, too small, too obscure, or too menial to please the Lord with offerings to Him, in whatever form you are able to do.
