Do you ever feel like John the Baptist? Is your voice like one crying in the wilderness and it feels as if no one hears what you are saying? All of us at times feel like what we do doesn’t matter or no one even notices our efforts. We feel like just a nurse, or just a housewife, just a teacher….the list goes on. We need to remind ourselves that, though we might not feel it, what we do, even if it’s sweeping floors, is important as long as we do our best at it. Our job becomes just that when we take our eyes off the reason we are doing it; to support our
family, pay our bills, get through school, or just so we can eat.
Life outside of work also has it’s share of critics. Many of us do what we do for an even greater purpose….to serve the Lord. Christians today get a lot of flack for doing what they do, attending church, praying in public places, voicing their opinions, etc. Many of us get so discouraged we stop doing what we do openly in order to avoid criticism. When we do this we not only give in to the will of others, we fail the one whom we serve. I’m sure Jesus didn’t like the constant criticism He endured and the human side of Him surely felt discouraged
at times. Several times He walked away from the crowds to get some privacy and renew His perspective. In these times of retreat, He spent time with the Lord, asking His Father for guidance and reassurance. He always came back to His disciples with a renewed spirit and greater determination to fulfill His purpose. We also need to seek God’s input and “lean not unto your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
By spending time in prayer and reading our Bible we stay firm in our faith and are able to meet the challenges offered us in these times….times when being close to God is not always a popular stance to take. Years ago, someone said to me, “Oh, I see, you are one of those Christians who thinks God will get you if you do anything considered wrong.”
I replied, “I hope I’m the kind of Christian who does not do things considered wrong just because I know better and have enough respect for Him not to do it. The same reason I chose to obey my parents, I try to obey Him. It has nothing to do with being afraid He’ll “get me”. I just try not to do things I know would disappoint Him.”
This response seemed to satisfy her and we became friends. I wonder if this response today would bring the same results. As Christians and followers of Christ we must not take our eyes off the reason we do what we do: to honor Him. After all, He gave His life for us, the least we can do for Him is share our faith with others and never be ashamed to tell them
what He means to us. There is no such thing as being “just a Christian”. We are sinners saved by the grace of a God who loves us! What better encouragement than that do we need? He supplies us with every resource necessary in order to meet the challenges we face. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
To be exalted or recognized by man is nice, but to know what you are doing pleases the Lord is more than enough recognition.
