But Does It Even Matter?

 

"A little consideration, a little thought for others, 

makes all the difference." ~ Eeyore

Liars. Deceivers. Murderers. Prostitutes. Cowards. Persecutors. Drunks. Abused.  Adulterers.  The daily headlines?  Nope - just a list of the type of people God chooses to use to accomplish great things for His kingdom.  Their personality tests would definitely reveal insecurity, fear, impulsivity, and feelings of incompetence and doubt.  

Sometimes do you think what you do doesn't matter, or it never will?  Yea, me too.  But think for a minute back to people that have impacted your life positively, either through an encouraging word or a kind action.  

Maybe a Sunday school teacher or a regular school teacher noticed something about you?  Did a neighbor drop off a bit of food during a challenging time?  How about a coach encouraging you or expecting more from you because you had talent?  A boss that knew you could handle more responsibility that would enhance your skill set?  A sacrificial donation to someone in need?

But think deeper than that - it's not just the big influences.  Smaller interactions we have throughout the day - a parent who is endlessly using sometimes very challenging scenarios to build character into a child but feeling like it's in vain- are they even listening?  Or performing duties at our job but doing it with a smile, going the extra mile to make people feel special and not like they are a burden.  But does anyone even see?

The teacher who spends hours preparing plans to help children understand content and enjoy the learning, but gets no thanks.  But does it even matter?

The stay-at-home mom who has sacrificed her career and spends countless hours cooking, cleaning, shuttling- but is it worth it?

And now zoom the camera in to get an even closer view of daily life...how about the really small interactions?  A wave of thanks to the plow driver or someone who let you in their lane, holding the door for another, lending an arm to an elderly person struggling with a curb, a text letting someone you know you're thinking of them - all seemingly insignificant actions but are small bolts of compassion that build a person up.  Do those tiny things matter?

The ONLY one who we should even care about whether it matters or not is our Heavenly Father.  And what does He say?

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord
rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance

as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." Col 3:23-24

"Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything,

will reward you."  Matthew 6:4

"For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me

a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was

naked and you gave Me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for Me.  I

was in prison, and you visited Me."  Matt 25:35-36

When we don't achieve what this world deems successful, we can listen to the lies of the devil and label ourselves 'insignificant'.  But Jesus died on the cross for each one of us, and didn't say, "Now go and earn what I did for you to pay me back, and do it big."  

 He just said, 

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your

mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: 

Love your neighbor as yourself."  Matt 22:37-39

He sees us and knows our heart.  In all our imperfect ways we can be used by Him.  It just takes a willing heart.  

Because, Jesus says-

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers 

and sisters of Mine, you did for Me."  Matt 25:40

We matter to Him, what we do matters to Him.    

✙ Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for determining our worth by what You did for us.  Open our ears to hear Your voice, open our eyes to see how we can love others, and open our hearts to let your Spirit direct us.  Help us to love You with our whole being. Amen.