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God uses ordinary people with hearts inclined toward Him.

One Sunday, I was asked to speak at a small church near my home in Virginia. I was greeted by a man who let me into the building. In small churches, you often have a pastor who does the preaching and the teaching and then an elder or deacon who does everything else. As I sat at the back of the church reviewing my sermon notes, the man went about making the coffee and setting out the snacks. Then he took a small broom and a dustpan and swept between the chairs.

As I watched this man, I wondered who was more valuable, him or me. The answer was neither. We had equal value, just a different function. Then I asked the Lord who was most pleasing to Him. The answer to the second question came quicker than the first. The one who does their part of the service with the greatest amount of love in their heart for God.  

We all want to be significant, and we’re all important in our Creator’s eyes. The problem is that we often seek our worth through man’s eyes. Sometimes we confuse value and function. We do not get value from what we do; we bring value to our work. Each individual has intrinsic value before God. 

Billy Graham and Pat Roberson have a greater function in the body of Christ than I do. In some areas, they have greater privilege. Jesus gave Peter, James, and John greater access to Himself, not because He valued them more but because they would have a more significant role in the Kingdom of God. He loved all His disciples equally. Our love for Christ is what impresses the Father.

The next time you walk past someone setting up chairs in your church, take notice. You may have missed an opportunity to interact with one of God’s chosen servants.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)