In our quieter moments, we wonder if we are significant to others. I have those thoughts at times and most likely I am not unique in them. We wonder if we get caught in a sea of the forgotten when we don’t stand out among the influential.
Our Lord never sees us as insignificant. While researching Scripture I came across some characters in God’s Word who were not familiar to me but important in God’s eyes. Consider Jabez.
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (I Chronicles 4:10)
In the book of Esther we read of Mordecai and his influence over his uncle’s daughter whom he took as his own daughter when her parents died. He raised her as his own. Through his influence a plot to kill God’s people was thwarted.
“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)
It is very significant what God can do through those who are obedient to Him. When we think we are insignificant, search God’s Word for those we don’t hear much about but were important to God and His work. Not one of us insignificant. Neither does God want anyone to perish.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)
Not much is said about the thief on the cross, other than he was guilty of crimes worthy of death. But through his belief in our Lord, he went to paradise with Him.
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
“A student relates about a time her professor gave a pop quiz. She was a conscientious student and breezed through the questions, That is, until she read the last one: “What is the name of the woman who cleans the floor of this building?
She knew the woman referred to in the question. She’d seen the cleaning woman many times. She was tall, dark-haired, probably in her 50s. But the student had to hand in her paper, leaving the last question blank.
When one student complained and asked if the last question would count toward the grade, the professor replied, “Absolutely! In your careers you will meet many people. All of them are significant! They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.” It was an example the student never forgot. And, oh!, the cleaning woman’s name – Dorothy. We may never remember all the names, but when do we ever have an excuse to not care?” ~ Anonymous
“David was the last one we would have chosen to fight the giant, but he was chosen by God.” ~ Moody
Eileen Light