I understood what he was saying. I had asked myself the same question just a month ago. He stated it so clearly and with conviction as he began, " What have I done with my life ? I mean really big. You know something big for God. Sure I am here visiting my mom. I am here for her. But what else have I done?" I stood there listening. I knew the feeling as I'm sure a lot of us do. As the years march by, the days, the hours. As we work, raise our kids, pay the bills and complete the tasks of life. We can all ask ourselves, "What am I doing BIG for God?"
I was so thankful that about a month ago God encouraged me, THROUGH HIS WORD, with my questions, "What am I doing for you God, I mean BIG ?" I began reading that day and came across a passage I have read a thousand times, but this time it seemed to answer my big questions in a real simple way. I read of Jesus's comments to those waiting to enter heaven and it astounded me. Sometimes what I view as big , like I don't know..... traveling the globe, preaching the gospel in a amphitheater, leaving all and living in a tiny village among the poorest of the world, is my view of Big. A big thing for God. But Jesus says something really mind baffling to me. Would you care to refresh your memory with me? Mathew 25:31-40
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,f you did it to me.’
When I read this passage I was shocked. I guess that is why all the sheep asked," WHEN? When did we do this? We didn't think we did much Lord, When ?" He said, "When you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." I am astounded to think a cup of cold water has significance to God.That such a small act would be such a big deal. I know those who have done the big things have a big reward, but I was touched that Jesus named these simple acts of love as well. I was encouraged the day I was asking God to use me in a big way about a month ago.
I was encouraged that he didn't say to the sheep on his right. You who preached to the masses, set up orphanages all over the globe, traveled where they wear loin clothes and point spears at your throat , or were world renowned by televisions and books. You the big ones, come on in here ! He never said that to the sheep on his right. You heard what he said, and they were shocked, they didn't even know that they had done those thing, they simply said, "When? "
I love my missionary stories, I love tales of heroes and adventures and I always will . I admire people that do those bold, daring, deeds that hardly any of us do. But I also love that God sees big different than me. He sees those deeds in everyday life, the cup of water, the visit to those who are sick, the hot meal you give to a widow or neighbor, or as I told this man," visiting your mom!"
I was so thankful that I had this in my heart ready to share with this man. That what he was doing for the Lord had value, this small act of visiting and sitting with his sick mom. I don't think Gods word would tell us the words of our amazing God if it wasn't true. If those small acts of kindness didn't matter he would have said so.
I will still ask God to use me. I would still love to go to a distant land and a great adventure. I would hope if God said, " Hey go here or there , do this or that ,that I would." But it doesn't mean there aren't people to visit and cups of cold water to give out . It is really a matter of our heart in the task. Our heart that is overwhelmed and flowing out with love for a great BIG God. He is the one who does BIG things in our everyday life. He is the one who is the BIG deal. I love how God always brings real life home in a Big way. How amazing is He ?
What do you view as big ? What would you consider a big task for God ? Did this make you think of his heart for those everyday people around us? I hope you were encouraged by Gods words, "Enter in, when you did it to the least of these you did it to me ! " Have a blessed week everyone.
A simple girl with a great big God , Danielle
