I am inconsequential, Written by David Christenson
I am inconsequential. It was hard to accept this and it took the better part of my 55 plus years to do so. But somewhat recently I finally realized that as far as the greater world goes I really am inconsequential to it. I know I will not be the one who finds the cure for cancer. I know I will not be responsible for world peace. Nor will I ever have the financial ability to eliminate starvation in our world.
But I do know that I can make a difference in my own little world. I might be able to help another achieve eternal salvation with what I do, what I say, and what I write. I pray to God every day to help me find the right words and to do the right things to glorify His name and to show those around me the love, power, and grace of our Lord Jesus. And by doing so I might be able to help them find that eternal salvation offered to us.
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? ~ 1 Corinthians 7:16 +++
I was blessed by God when He provided me with the woman I was so happy to marry over 30 years ago. We started praying more some years ago when our kids were in elementary school and pretty much continued past the time that they went off to college. But our prayers were limited to table prayers. Then about a year ago we started to pray together just before bedtime each night taking turns leading and closing. The sharing of our faith growth together has been so fulfilling. It has been fun watching and seeing the other’s faith strengthen with the passing of time. We don’t know if we can help the other be saved but I feel assured that we are saved and that we will continue to work together to do work for God here on earth and fulfill the purpose that God has commanded all of us to do.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16 +++
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ~ John 21:15-17 +++
Jesus commanded us to feed His lambs; His sheep. We are His sheep; His flock. Praying together so that we can help one another become a better follower of Jesus addresses this command. And by praying together we are able to again help them and ourselves to travel the righteous path. And we can change the world we live in. It isn’t curing cancer but it is bringing eternal salvation to us.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. ~ Proverbs 6:16-19
If we adhere to what we are commanded in these verses of Proverbs, then we have a better chance of changing the world around us, and not be so inconsequential to the world itself.
About David Christenson: He is a lifelong resident of South Dakota, grew up on a farm north of Claremont and attended school in Amherst and Britton, graduating from Britton in 1977.
David married Gretchen Tisher in 1984. Gretchen is also a graduate of Britton and teaches math and drama at Britton-Hecla high school. David and Gretchen have two children. Zach is an engineer for Continental Ag in Norfolk, Nebraska and his wife Amanda is a nurse. Margo lives in Denver and works as a Marketing & Outreach coordinator for MyLifeLine.org, a cancer support not-for-profit entity.
David started a cow/calf operation in the 1980s and farmed on the family farm after his high school graduation until December of 1994 when he accepted a sales position at the John Deere store in Britton. David left the John Deere sales position in March of 2006 and became a licensed crop insurance agent in May of 2006. David also started a rental business in 2010 and remained in the cattle business until January of 2012.
David, age 55, has had some extraordinary circumstances in his life. He was run over by a farm tractor before age 6 and had three heart attacks a few months before turning 40. Then he suffered life threatening injuries a few months after turning 50 in a hit and run incident. David was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and skin cancer in 2014.
David started writing his recovery experiences on Facebook in December of 2009. Over the next four years those Facebook notes became what would become chapters in his book, “Why Are You Here?” which was published in December of 2013.