Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
William Carey was an English Missionary, he was born August 17, 1761 and died June 9, 1834. William founded Serampore College and Serampore University in India. He translated the Bible into six languages. He was known as the “father of modern missions”. He had a famous quote, “Expect great things from God—Attempt great things for God.” What does that quote mean? It means that God is a great God and He can do great and mighty things in your life for you and through you. As you minister to people who are in need, remember that the greater one lives inside you. He knows exactly what that person is going through and what they need. So as God shows Himself strong in your life realize that you can, with His help, go out and do great things for God. Wherever you go and in whatever you do, know that God is there to help you make an impact in the world. You are not alone; the Holy Spirit is there to help you.
You don’t have to travel to India, be in the jungles of Africa preaching to thousands or living on the mission field to be used of God. Even though those things are wonderful and that might be your calling, God can also use you in your everyday life. There maybe things that God would have you say to someone, a scripture you need to share, a neighbor you need to visit, someone who needs your prayers or just an encouraging word. Perhaps someone you need to lead to the Lord. Whatever may come your way know that God wants to use you. He wants to use you in the really big things and in the little things that you may not think too much about.
Here is an example of how the Lord led me to minister to someone, recently I was in church on a Sunday morning and there was an elderly lady that sat near me on the pew. The Lord made me keenly aware of her. At the end of the service I saw that she was just sitting there and looking very sad. I asked her if everything was okay. She told me that her step son was hours away in Branson, Missouri dying of cancer. She said that she was not able to drive herself to see him because it was so far away. I asked her if I could pray for her. She let me pray for her. I prayed for her to have peace and comfort and that the Lord would give her a way to get there to see him. I also said some encouraging words to her that everything was going to be okay. It really blessed her. She seemed grateful that I took the time to minister to her and she was encouraged. This is an example of letting the Lord use you in even the little things. I was not preaching to some big crowd of people but I was there for that one little elderly lady that day. God’s heart on the matter can be seen in the following verses of Scripture.
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
What does this scripture mean? It means that we are followers of Christ and we need to let God use us. How do we let God use us? By obeying His Word and ministering to the people around us. Today I want to encourage you to be sensitive to the things God asks you to do, big or small. Know that the Lord has assignments for you. You are an essential part of God’s plan on this earth and He wants to use you to carry it out. Go out and, although they may appear to be small, do great things for God today.
