Insignificant?

 

Do you ever question just how much of a difference you make for the Kingdom of God?  I have to be honest – I do.  The day to day work of the ministry sometimes leaves me scratching my head and wondering if I even make a impact on the world I live in and more importantly, if I make a difference for the world to come.  I have to acknowledge that in this performance based society that we all live in I do look around at others and compare my efforts with theirs and all too often find what I have done to be less than most.  My failures far outweigh my successes and I can really get down on myself. 

Then, I will read a passage of scripture or a devotional note from a man of God that refocuses my attention.  Today, I was reading “In His Presence” – a daily devotional that goes through the book of Matthew with commentaries from men like Charles Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, and John Wesley.  The passage of scripture for this morning was Matthew 10:5.  Alexander Maclaren focused upon the first five words of that verse – “These twelve Jesus sent out.”  At first glance you might be thinking like I was when I read it that there isn’t a lot of significance to these words.  But, Mr. Maclaren had great insight which was just what I needed to hear.  This verse follows the list of the twelve disciples that Jesus poured Himself into during His time of ministry on this earth.  Jesus sent twelve men out, but do you realize that six of those are never really mentioned again in the scriptures except in the list of the twelve in the book of Acts?  The work of six of these men is not recorded for us anywhere. 

Does this mean that they never did anything for Christ?  Does it signify that they didn’t follow the commands the Lord gave them?  Not so!  I realized that I can learn a great lesson from them about my own service for the King.  I am sure that most of my work will go unnoticed and unknown.  It may very well be remembered a year or two by those who love me or were impacted by that work, but in the annals of human history it will never be recorded.  According to the measure of success that man concocts, what I have done for Christ will pale in comparison to others of greater notoriety and stature.  But in the eyes of the One I serve, every little detail has been recorded and will be reviewed and rewarded. 

Christ has given us all a task.  How earnestly and accurately we strike the blow for Him is all-important, but how far it reaches is up to Him.  Our job is to keep swinging, keep doing, keep focusing upon the One for whom we are doing our work.  If it is for our own glory, it will leave us dissatisfied and unfulfilled.  If it is for the Glory of the King, it will leave us contented and anticipatory of the day when He will say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”