The Insignificant Is Significant To God

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” Tanzanian Proverb

Unless you just completely avoid the news, there have been some pretty big names resigning in the past few months from varying positions. I did a little search online and just in the state of Texas, 8 pastors have resigned for several different sins that they committed. Also, a big rapper was arrested for various and sundry things. There is almost complete silence in the town of glittering lights and dreams. Why? If I were to wager a guess, they probably knew or were involved with what was going on. Perhaps? After all, the scripture does say in Luke 8:17: “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” The truth will always win, after all God is the author of truth. 

Hero worship is a cultural phenomenon

Hero worship has often been ingrained in our culture. I remember when I was little one I was obsessed with the late Michael Jackson. Growing up in a very religious household that was a bit much for my parents to take. I remember being a bit upset that I couldn’t have the “Thriller” tape for my brand new tape player that was purple. I was asked to find another hero. I had to pick from the bin of old movies that I was allowed to watch. I had to pick from Yul Brynner, Gordon McRae, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. At the time I picked Bing Crosby. I like his deep baritone voice. Fast forward to adulthood. I decided to read the biographies of each of these men. A couple were womanizers, one was an alcoholic, the other beat his children; the list could go on. Needless to say, I was disappointed. 

Why am I bringing up hero worship?

Part of the whole empty nest syndrome is a bit of a reinvention of self. I’ve poured my life into my children for 20+ years. In a recent conversation I had someone well meaning say to me: “It’s a shame that you didn’t have a career now that your kids are gone. It’s not like it’s an illustrious career or anything.” To be honest, that sentiment hurt my feelings greatly. While I don’t begrudge a woman who chose to have a career, by all means, do it! Rather, my children were my career for a while. People change vocations in life, they desire to do something different. 

What does the scripture say about insignificant significance?

This conversation brought to mind the significance of what we perceive as insignificant acts. After all, my childhood “heroes” were deeply flawed. These pastors that have fallen (I hope that they find forgiveness in God,) and the rappers, the old Hollywood stars, all of these heroes live a life that some dream of. But what does the scripture say? In I Corinthians 1: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Your little acts do add up

After the interesting conversation that I mentioned earlier, many thoughts came to mind. First a sense of thankfulness. I was blessed to be able to stay home and raise our children. I loved being a mother, my children are grown now and living lives that contribute to the betterment of life. Some are soldiers, some work in the work force and they all have a sense of right and wrong. Those little acts of changing diapers, cleaning messes, cooking dinner day in and day out. All those little acts produced some good humans. The good humans in North Carolina come to mind as well. The devastating hurricane that decimated the Asheville area has left the community reeling. Normal people in my area and all around me have traveled up to North Carolina and given time, supplies and a shoulder to cry on. Those acts won’t bring the spotlight of stardom but they made a difference in the life of the person that needed the blessing at the moment. 

God can bring greatness through a humble heart

In my article about the Hall of faith our “heroes” were deeply flawed. King David, the man after God’s own heart was a deeply flawed individual. When the prophet Samuel looked at all the sons of Jesse he could not find a suitable king for Judah. Samuel asked if there were any other sons. Jesse told the prophet that his youngest was tending the sheep in the field. David was the smallest, not the first born. David still needed to grow in maturity yet God chose him. In Samuel’s task of picking a king, God spoke to him saying: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

May our motives be in the significance of God

We are significant to God, but those little insignificant acts that we do each day bring God’s greatness and glory. It may not be a star on a walk of fame, but in God’s great plan it will yield fruit in its time. If you find yourself wondering what you do to impact God’s kingdom, pray about it. Ask God to direct your steps. You may be doing more than you think. I leave you all with a quote by Steven Furtick: “No act of service is insignificant when done for the most significant purpose in the universe; proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.”