There is a story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, the preacher’s sermon this morning confused me.”
The mother said, “Oh, why is that?”
The girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true,” the mother replied.
“He also said that God lives within us. Is that true, too?”
Again, the mother replied, “Yes.”
“Well,” said the girl. “If God is bigger than us and he lives in us, wouldn’t he show through?”
Sometimes the simple words of a child can reveal such great truth. Shouldn’t Jesus show through us? Indeed, if we are living our life for him, we will allow his light to shine through us. Matthew 5:16 tells us to “So let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.”
Too often, we dismiss the importance of Jesus showing through us through the good works that we do for Him. However, Jesus made it clear that this is an important part of our witness to the world. The things we do for others should be like a bright neon sign that declares, “Followers of Jesus here!”
Gareth and Cara at Sunset, Strawberry Point, 2002 ©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2010)
Jesus is made real to the world – our children, friends, neighbors, and family – by the work we do in his name. It is the type of fruit on the tree that identifies the tree. It is the same way with the spiritual fruit born in our lives.
Unfortunately, the church culture has more “bark than bite” when it comes to the gospel. We frequently do not “walk the talk.” This is why it important that everyone who calls himself or herself a follower of Christ find the place where they are to serve. A disciple cannot grow to be like his or her master if he or she does not do the same work the Master did as an example for us to follow.
Jesus’ example to us is most clear when he washed his own disciples’ feet. Those who should have humbled themselves to wash their master’s feet and offer to wash other’s feet instead argued, stubbornly sat waiting for someone else to do what was necessary, and allowed the honored guest at the table do it instead. How awkward. At least Peter had the sense to protest. The others seemed content to let Jesus do it!
Nevertheless, we can be guilty of the same servant apathy today. The problem is not that there are not enough opportunities to serve and minister. The problem is that there are not enough servants. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful!”
There are a great many opportunities for the Kingdom; more than anyone can count or imagine. “But the laborers are few.” The greatest need is willing servants who will humble themselves to do what is necessary to reap the rewards of the harvest. “Pray…to send forth laborers…”
One of the strengths of a healthy, vital church is that ministry is not clergy driven. It does not depend upon a “professional” or recognized “pastor” to be initiated or get done. Everyone being a minister and serving others is a value embraced by everyone in such a fellowship of believers. Everyone is a priest with a position to serve someone else for the glory of God. God’s light of glory shines through them.
How does God “show through” you? What good works do you do for the least, last, and lost around you that brings glory to God? In what way are you personally engaged in the harvest fields of the master? Does a life of serving others mark your life like it marked the Master’s?
I encourage you to let God be bigger than you. Allow Him to do something bigger through you than you could ever imagine. Who knows, someone may see what you do and give thanks and praise to God for it. All because you allowed God to show through.
©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2010)
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