Nobody, from Nowhere, with Nothing

Do you ever read about people making a difference in the world and wonder if your life counts for much?  When you are challenged to ‘reach the world for Christ’ do you feel inspiration and guilt in about equal measures?  

I know that response! Billy Graham preached to millions and brought the Gospel to hundreds of nations. Entire cities stirred to his message about Jesus’ love.  Bill Hybels writes inspiring books read by thousands and leads a church that ministers to tens of thousands each weekend. Andy Stanley speaks to conferences, inspiring thousands of Christian leaders and leads a church that is noted for helping the next generation to find Christ.  By comparison, what am I doing?  That is the wrong question!

What should we be asking ourselves? What should we be doing?  Let’s look at two stories in the Bible about obscure servants.

A little girl in ancient Israel was taken captive during a war with Syria. She was carried off to a foreign nation and made a servant to the wife of General Naaman.  He became diseased with leprosy.  That girl could have secretly rejoiced that Naaman was sick. But, despite being a nobody, from nowhere, with nothing – she spoke up. "She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3, NIV)  After a series of dramatic events, Naaman did meet Elisha, exercised faith, and was healed! The greater result was that he came to know the Lord God. "Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15, NIV)  And, it all started with a servant girl who was willing to speak.

Mark tells us about another nameless woman’s devotion. "Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves. “That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.” They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her." (Mark 14:3-5, The Message)  From a natural point of view her efforts appeared silly, stupid even.  But, Jesus saw her differently.  He saw love and devotion.  Her extravagance was not wasted in His eyes.  He silenced her critics saying, "Leave her alone … She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial." (Mark 14:8, NIV)

There are opportunities to do the work of Christ that you, and only you, can do today. They may not be notable. They may not change the destiny of thousands. Some may judge your effort as ineffective, or silly, or a waste of time.  But, what does the Spirit say?  Who are you really serving? The Word speaks to us with this imperative: "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

Christians may indeed be nobody, from nowhere, with nothing – but if we are FAITHFUL to live a life worthy of His calling, the results are beyond our ability to calculate.

Here’s the word from the Word. May it help us to stop looking around to compare and to look instead to serve.

"After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants

through whom you believed the Good News.

Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it,

but it was God who made it grow.

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering.

What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose.

And both will be rewarded for their own hard work." (1 Corinthians 3:5-8, NLT)

___________

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning.

It's time to sing Your song again!

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,

Let me be singing when the evening comes!

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger,

Your name is great and Your heart is kind.

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul,

Worship His holy name.

Sing like never before,

O my soul,

I'll worship Your holy name.

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come,

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending,

Ten thousand years and then forevermore!

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

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