Unknown, Unimportant
Our value system views the unnamed person
or named but forgotten person as having little value and the out of the way,
small ministry as being insignificant in our view of the work of Christ.
Important and famous in eyes of men doesn’t make a person more valuable or
increase our importance in the eyes of God. All through the Scripture the Holy
Spirit records names and places to which we pay no attention. A result of our
actions is that we look at the people who serve in small churches located in
small out of the way towns and villages in such a way as to make them feel their
ministry has no real value and therefore they and their ministry is unimportant.
In fact, it is these very ministries carried out by willing, unknown saints that
are the backbone of today’s church. It is their faithfulness in prayer, giving
and sending their youth into the whitened harvest fields of the world that has
kept the church alive and well.
We need to stop for a moment and consider Peter’s proclamation to Cornelius, "In
truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears
Him and works righteousness is accepted” Acts 10:34, 35. In 1 Corinthians 12
Paul taught the Corinthian believers to recognize both their place and function
in the body of Christ. The thrust of Paul’s teaching is that every part of the
body is important and person in the body has been given specific spiritual gifts
to function where he has been placed within the body of Christ. Then we need to
consider the words of the writer of Hebrews, “For God is not unjust to forget
your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you
have ministered to the saints, and do minister” [Hebrews 6:10].
If you feel your ministry is unimportant or has little or no value in the grand
scheme of things, I would encourage you to consider the follow timeless truths.
Timeless Truth # 1: Because God is not a respecter
of persons; there are no unimportant people or places in I sight. He has the
same concern for every person and ministry. You are important to God. Your
ministry is important to God. That big ministry you always hear about on the TV
cannot do the job you can do in your community and cannot impact the people’s
lives the way you can.
Timeless Truth # 2: God has endowed you with
natural talents and given you spiritual gifts that make you valuable although
not necessarily famous in the eyes of men. God has not forgotten you and He
knows all about your labor of love. Men may not recognize nor remember your
labor done in love but God does remember. Why not take a 3x5 card and write out
Hebrews 6:10 and put it on your refrigerator door. When we begin to feel sorry
for ourselves, take a few seconds and read it.
Timeless Truth # 3: God rewards us on the basis of
faithfulness not results. This levels the playing field. It is not what you
accomplish that God rewards because He not you gives the increase [I Corinthians
3:6]. It should be the desire of every child of God to hear from His Savior the
words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” as he enters into His
presence. You can check your level of faithfulness by asking yourself three
questions. Did I do what God wanted me to do the way He wanted it done? Did I
complete the job God gave me to do? Did I do my best?
The next time you think of yourself or your ministry as being unknown or
unimportant, let these three timeless truths be a source of comfort to you.
Addendum: Francis A. Schaeffer said, "But if a Christian is consecrated,
does this mean he will be in a big place instead of a little place? he answer,
the next step, is very important: s there are no little people in God's sight,
so there are no little places. To be wholly committed to God in the place where
God wants him - this is the creature glorified...This means being what he wants
me to be, where he wants me t be."
[No Little People, InterVarsity Press, p. 18]
