(Steve and I are enjoying time with family this week. I’ll return soon with new posts. Meanwhile, I’ll reblog previous ones. Hopefully you’ll find them meaningful again, or perhaps for the first time. The following post was first published June 13, 2013.)
From stage left, she crosses the platform in confident strides. One hand waves in sweeping arcs to the large audience. The crowd claps and cheers.
In the other hand, with confident ease, she holds the microphone. And the smile—big and broad, bright white teeth visible even from the balcony.
Able to sing like a nightingale and articulate truth with conviction. Impacting thousands.
Now there is someone God is using in a powerful way, whispers an accusing voice. Look at her significant contribution in the Kingdom of God. No doubt she’s highly valuable to him. So what are you doing that’s important? Your spot in the scheme of things is nothing compared to that shining star on the stage. You might as well face the truth: You are unimportant. The ship of Significance has passed you by.
Sound the least bit familiar? You’re not alone. Demons use those same lies on a lot of us. Evil spirits aren’t very creative, are they?
But here’s the truth of the matter:
Each of us is the workmanship of God (Ephesians 2:10). The Greek word, workmanship, sometimes has the connotation of “work of art.” You are a work of art—carefully designed and meticulously executed.
The verse goes on to explain we’ve been created to do good works. It does not say the same work. Diversity of personality, talent, and interest are necessary among the children of God in order that all his plans are accomplished.
He made each of us unique, to fulfill a personalized plan. Every now and then we see such a plan unfold so clearly, we know God engineered the circumstances. Sometimes it’s a unique set of talents or gifts that work together sublimely to meet a need.
Take, for example, the naturally talented writer, who happened to grow up in a bilingual home, and studied Christian Education in college. She was especially prepared by God to write Spanish curriculum for a Christian publishing company.
Other times the plan is much less obvious, and we must trust that the task before us–caring for our families, teaching that Sunday School class, working at the homeless shelter–is indeed accomplishing divine purpose.
What we can know for certain: each of us is valuable to God (Matthew 10:29-31).
Believe that he has prepared in advance good works for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Take joy and satisfaction from completing those good works.
It may not be walking across a stage with a microphone. It might mean walking across the kitchen with a rolling pin—to bake cookies for the neighbors.
That’s just a small, insignificant thing, you say?
Think about this: What if God takes particular pleasure in small things?
Personally, I’m fascinated by small things. Miniatures, doll houses, petit-point, babies!
Scripture gives us indication that God does indeed love small things as well:
Sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).
Two little mites given by a widow (Mark 12:41-44).
Five small barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-13).
Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Let’s never again allow those little demons of abasement to put us down. God has promised: “I will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike” (Psalm 115:13, emphasis added).
You see, in God’s sight, we’re of equal worth.
From the Inside Out 