The Reason What You Do Matters (even if it’s small)

Sometimes when asked what I do, I hesitate to say — at least about the writing part. I can easily point to the fruit of raising my children and editing. But the benefits of my writing … that’s less noticeable. At times I wonder if it matters. 

Typing words of inspiration and encouragement to wounded and weary women brings me great joy. Yet, when pressed about my writing career, I’m tempted to duck my head and mumble the answer, because on the surface I have little to show for it. 

Five years after starting a blog and diving into the social media world, I have no book contract and no magazine credits. My name doesn’t grace book covers. Zeros sit in my revenue columns under book and magazine writing.

In the eyes of a culture that values monetary gain and status, I failed.

However, God’s value system varies greatly from the world’s. Where the world esteems money, God esteems service. Where the world reveres growth, prominence and stature, God reveres love, obedience and humility. 

What Matters

My writing matters, not because I’m becoming famous, reaching thousands and making millions, but because I’m being obedient to what I believe God is asking of me.

It matters because through it I’m loving and serving others. 

It matters because I’m being a conduit for the Lord to reach even one with His love and truth.

You, too, may be tempted to duck your head and whisper the answer to the “what do you do?” question. You may feel less than in your accomplishments. You may be wondering if what you’re doing matters.

Let me assure you, if you’re loving and serving, if you’re being obedient to the Lord and desiring to reflect Christ to those around you, then what you do does matter. You’re making a difference.

It may not be reaching thousands, but it’s touching the ones He intends.

What you do may not be reaching thousands, but it's touching the ones God intends. Click To Tweet

It may not catapult you to fame and fortune, but it gives you an avenue to proclaim His greatness.

Because you see, it’s not the best known or the one who can claim the greatest reach who matters the most. It’s each and every one of us who serves from a position of love and humility.

• The young mom who keeps her littles bathed, fed and dressed and introduces them to the Lord.
• The volunteers who bring love to those they work with.
• The custodians who serve with gladness.
• The office worker who seeks joy in her job. 
• The elderly lady who rejoices in encouraging others through letters and prayer. 

What Makes Great and Wonderful Accomplishments

The world needs to look up to and learn from the likes of these men and women. It needs to redefine success to include selfless, love-filled humble acts. 

It needs to proclaim that those who care, those who look to make a difference in the life of just one person, are the ones who matter. 

God takes our small actions done in obedience and grows and compounds them into great and wonderful accomplishments. He uses those who work backstage and under the radar to set the stage for a great and glorious show of His power and grace. 

You may not have the reach or status you’d like in your current vocation or position, but God has always used the least to do the greatest. He’s using every little thing you offer in humble service to make a difference in this world.

God's using every little thing you offer in humble service to make a difference in this world. And that matters! Click To Tweet

We offer. He blesses. 

And that, my friend, matters!

“Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. ²⁷ Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something,²⁹ so that no one can boast in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Reflections: Do you struggle to value what you do, judging it according to the world’s standards and not God’s? Consider those who might be ministered to by your service, whether large or small, and trust God to do great things with it. 

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “when you feel like the chair guy.” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragement.