The Final
Significance 06-23-17
Matthew 18:12 (ESV) 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of
them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go
in search of the one that went astray?
Luke 15:4 (ESV) 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of
them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one
that is lost, until he finds it?
Have a little different take on these
Scriptures this week. A different perspective if you will.
The title of the message is the title of
the last chapter of a book I read and finally finished this week. Without
getting off track, the author states that indeed our actions and "works"in this
life are going to have a significance when we stand before God one of these
days. Not in the sense of salvation but in the sense of accountability and
reward. Agree,disagree it doesn't matter. He,however did say something that hit
me.
Significance- A realization that I am
engaged in a responsibility or job that is truly important,whose results will
not evaporate with time,but will last throughout eternity,that fundamentally
involves having a meaningful impact on another person.....
I read this week that in order to be
mentally and spiritually whole that we as people feel secure in our standing
before God. Not only that but the need to feel significant with God is also
deeply seated in our psyche. I have heard ministers of the Gospel when speaking
of their particular work or ministry,talk of the need to be validated.We don't
want to feel like we are as Paul put it,"beating the air." We need to feel that
we are contributing something of value to the world and people around us. That
we have some inkling of significance.
No matter where you are in life,or what
you are engaged in,you and I need to know that what we are doing has value or is
appreciated by someone else. We are contributing our portion to the tribe. As
Christians for sure we need to feel that we are laboring in some endeavor that
God has directed us. Not only that, we need to feel that God attaches some
import to it;some significance if you will. Our efforts need to be validated in
our own minds and hearts.A thank you or a word of encouragement. At least we
know someone is listening .It contributes to our feeling that we have a God
given purpose. And herein lieth the lesson.
Ever feel insignificant?Ever feel like no
one is taking any notice at all of your efforts? Not just that no one is taking
notice,but even if they did notice it would not make a difference.You feel that
your labors don't amount to a speck of dust in the eyes of man,and given time
you begin to believe they are even more inconsequential in the eyes of
God.
I heard those verses this week and
thought about them. It seemed that I got a slightly different perspective on
those passages.Let me see if I can put it into words.
The enemy of our souls will do anything
in an attempt to discourage and dishearten us.We see ministers and ministries
affecting hundreds and even thousands. We see friends and acquaintances whose
lives seem blessed beyond measure. And then there's us. Nothing seems to be
happening. It's a battle just to drive into work.
A friend of mine at work spoke those
verses this week as we were conversing and he gave me a different and
encouraging look. What's that Ronnie? Well just this. Not everyone,indeed most
people are not called to minister to the 99. Most of us are called to minister
and nurture the one. As my friend Pastor Doug has so very often reminded me, in
God's eyes it's not about the success of our labor,but the
FAITHFULNESS.
While it surely is grand to minister to
the multitudes,to build great works and whatnot. In God's eyes it is just as
grand to pray for a child or encourage a struggling soul that God places in our
path. It's easy to lose that perspective when things are difficult. It's oh so
easy to see yourself and your life as supremely INSIGNIFICANT. BUT THAT IS A LIE
OF THE DEVIL.It is hard to see sometimes isn't it? Yes it is! At least for
your's truly it is. God doesn't call everyone to the 99. Somebody has to go see
about the one. One thing is for sure. When we stand before Him,He is not going
to forget. He's not like us.That ONE that you gave that encouraging word to.
That ONE that you spent time in prayer for. That ONE that no one else saw except
you. Rest assured child of God, HE saw it. He's writing it all down. And one day
soon it will become very SIGNIFICANT.
Hebrews 6:10-12 (ESV) 10 For God is not
unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name
in serving the saints, as you still do.
11
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have
the full assurance of hope until the end,
12
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who
through faith and patience inherit the promises.
God Bless
Good word bro
ReplyDelete