Issue 1541 – Big and Small – September 4, 2024
I snapped this shot when we visited Cascade Falls on Monday.
People come from all over to stand on the suspension bridge and look at the largest falls. Although they are far from the biggest falls in the area, they are pretty, and the rainforest setting adds to the delight.
When you look at the falls, you see a cascade that drops 112 feet and a cascade of about 60 feet below. Only some people see that surrounding the main falls are dozens, perhaps more minor falls, creeks, and tiny runs.
You can see one such much smaller fall in this picture.
Big and small, they all combine to fill the pool below and the stream bed below.
As I looked at the falls, I saw an analogy for the church. Most people look at the church and its ministries and see the “big” players. We see mega-churches with huge international ministries. That causes us to wonder if our little local assembly is making a difference.
We can look at the visible roles within our local assembly and wonder if our little role in the background matters. After all, everyone seems to be focused on the pastor, elders, and other key leaders.
Small churches matter, and less visible ministry roles matter. God doesn’t ensure success by size or visibility; his benchmark is faithfulness.
God didn’t gift pastors or other visible alone. All of us are gifted to serve the King in some way.
In God’s economy, a faithful servant is far more valuable than one who holds a more prominent visible role but isn’t faithful.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), Jesus gifts the various servants with funds to steward for him. They were rewarded for their faithfulness, not how much money they earned the Master.
To the faithful servants, Jesus had praise.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21
His words to the unfaithful servant were harsh.
God has appointed each of us to a role in His church. Each part is essential. We are to serve Him faithfully and let Him produce the harvest.
Don’t worry about what others think about the value of your role. If you are faithful to serving where He called, in a role you consider large or small, serve well and be content.
The Master will be pleased with you, and His approval matters.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)