Devotionals for the Heart: Thoughts on being small but significant

Small and Significant
A devotional by Glynis Becker

"Then another message came to me from the Lord: “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)" –Zechariah 4:8-10 (NLT)

Do you have days when you feel like what you do isn’t very important? That you don’t bring enough to the table to really make a difference? That in the larger scope of history it won’t matter at all if you were here because you won’t make a significant enough contribution?

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be addressing the United Nations anytime soon. Or writing a book that changes the lives of millions of people. Or curing cancer. Or bringing about world peace.

My calling is smaller. My stage is not as big. My impact may make only a small ripple in the pond. But that does not mean it isn’t important.

God has always and will continue to do His work through ordinary, seemingly-insignificant, weak people like you and me. He is already at work everywhere: in your home, in your neighborhood, your city, your country, and the world. You can be part of it, wherever you are.

I can’t feed all the hungry people in the world, but I can donate food to the homeless shelter or bake cookies for the missions fundraiser. I can’t cure cancer, but I can visit someone in the hospital or give someone a ride to a doctor’s appointment. I can’t bring about world peace, but I can extend a hand of friendship and bridge a gap to someone who might look like my “enemy.”

These are small acts we can do as Mother Teresa said “with great love.” With the right attitude and the leading of the Holy Spirit, these become the foundation of the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

Don’t misunderstand this, though. God doesn’t love you more when you do these things. We should want to do things that bring about change simply because we love Jesus and want to share Him with others. These acts of love will expand our understanding of who He is and extend the kingdom to the world. They are not to be seen as a way of gaining favor from God.

In the Scripture above, Zerubbabel has been tasked with beginning construction on the Lord’s temple. The verse sees into the future when it claims that he will see the construction finished. We may not see the fruits of our labor while we are alive. 

That promise isn’t necessarily for us. But what I love about the verse is that God is pleased to see him obey and start the work to which he has been tasked. It is a humble beginning, but there is nothing wrong with that. God has always known how to work miracles through humble beginnings.

So what can we do today to spread the word, share the love, or show some kindness? Don’t ever feel that you are insignificant. Your small step may be first in a miraculous journey.

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, I know you love me. I know you will work through me and bring your kingdom if I let you. Please show me those small acts of kindness that you have for me to do today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: VBS

Lessons on how to love courtesy of one wild, crazy week of VBS
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

I don’t know if you’d classify me as an introvert or a Highly Sensitive Person, but as much as I love people, I get overwhelmed after most encounters. Whether it’s a meeting or field day or a one-on-one with a friend, I have to decompress in the car after—or if it’s a biggie, come home and take a nap. (And I despise naps.)

But it just so happens I’m a member of one of the largest United Methodist churches in the nation, which also just so happens to offer a massive vacation Bible school. Its VBS attracts about two thousand children and hundreds of volunteers who descend on the campus all week long.

When the leaders put out their plea for help, the Holy Spirit began to stir in me. Me! An introverted, overly sensitive soul! And I knew what I needed to do: sign up to love on those kids. And no, not as a behind-the-scenes helper or an at-home prayer warrior or anything else… but as a crew guide for fourth and fifth-grade girls and boys.

Right smack in the middle of all the action.

I knew full well what it meant: all week long I’d be in the thick of the noise and interaction, the dancing and songs, the water games and scavenger hunts.

I promise I’m no sadist. Yet I couldn’t help myself. The Spirit had called, and I needed to answer. What else could I do but throw myself in, give it all I had, and face the consequences later?

I’m glad I did. It was spectacular!

My husband thought I was wacko. Every afternoon after VBS I was a wreck, and by Friday I’m not sure I even bothered to brush my hair, but oh—what an experience! On Monday we were spelling out “Jesus” on the floor with our bodies. On Tuesday I got soaked head-to-toe from a water bucket race. By Wednesday I’d mastered all the dance moves to the praise songs, and Thursday I watched as kids went to the altar and accepted Jesus as their savior. On Friday, I sat back dazed and recognized the week for what it was: a holy masterpiece. Before my eyes, preteen boys were singing their hearts out. Girls were shrieking, faces streaked with pure, undiluted, Disney World-level glee.

It was a God Party, and I’d just gotten a weeklong front row view.

It hit me then—that’s what Jesus meant when He told His disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14-15, New International Version).

These kids were wide open. They came to VBS as themselves, quirks and bad habits and crazy hair and shining eyes. They took in what was taught. They reveled in it, and they left exhilarated and energized. The way they received the Kingdom of God—with passion and authenticity, holding nothing back—was a holy example of how God wants us to love Him and how we should love each other.

These kids taught me far more than I taught them.

I’m ashamed now of my early reluctance to volunteer just because I was afraid of a little discomfort.

Watching those kids taught me how to love in a fresh, new way—with arms wide open, voice raised, hair wild, caught up in the only thing that really matters: worshipping our Lord.

Next year, I won’t let my reluctance hinder me from loving those kids the way Jesus demanded. You can bet I’ll be right there in the action, dancing, and singing and laughing.

And then going home and taking a nap.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is a Christian author, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

She is the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate (AdvocateSC.org), the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Learn more about her fiction and read her blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.