You Are Changing the World

Today I attended my first women's Bible study in a long time. I forgot how sweet it was to be around women believers, and listen to Truth being discussed.  One of the things we discussed (although briefly) was our ministry. How a lot of times we like to jump from the small things to the larger things. We do not have patience for the in-between.  It was read out of our devotional that if we try to work from the outside in our ministry will in effect implode on itself. 

 God has called all of us to be witnesses to the world, but for a lot of us our "world" doesn't go much further than our own homes. If you are like me, you might get frustrated when you can't go and do the big elaborate things. For me it was working and reaching out to other women; for you it might be a mission field or on a stage speaking to hundreds. So when my "ministry" was reduced to being at home 24/7 I suddenly started to feel at a loss.  I felt useless and not needed anymore. I felt as though I was accomplishing anything for the greater good.

 Now bear with me.

 Our lives are made up of chapters. Each chapter builds one into the other building our life story. At the end of our story our hope and prayer is that we lived a life that glorified God.  So what if we do not reach the world for God as it was commanded in the Great Commission? What if we never get the chance to go into all the world and preach? Does that mean we have failed in our following Christ? Not hardly.

 God first and foremost called us to minister from the inside outward. He has in-trusted us with people in our lives to minister to. It is how we handle this responsibility that will make a difference in eternity. So when I began feeling like my "ministry" was reduced it was really my pride and vanity talking. What I missed wasn't just the ability to help others, I missed the recognition and the praise. I missed the feeling of being appreciated on told so on a daily basis. My flesh missed all the things that glorified the flesh. At home I know my girls love me, but they certainly do not show appreciation for me. There are no thank you's for wiping up bodily functions or feeding them food they do not eat. There is no appreciation for sweeping the floor or doing laundry that never ends. My rewards have completely changed. 

 It took a few weeks, and today's Bible study, to start changing my perspective. It starts at home. If I want to change the world, I must pour my heart and soul into the children I have been so blessed with. They are the generation coming up, and their impact will be felt in ways mine never could. They will reach more people, see more things, and have different lives than mine. So my ministry in truth was not reduced; it was expanded! 

 As I try to teach my daughters my influence will be felt by others long after I am gone; whether it is good or bad. They will teach their sons and daughters what they have learned. They will be (hopefully) great followers of Christ.

 So as you sit amongst your piles of laundry ( mine is about 4 loads deep tonight to fold) and you want to cry in your towels. Remember that your quiet sacrifice and the love you have is doing as much or if not more than a missionary in the far reaches of the world. You are diligently praying and teaching your children. You are changing the world You one little soul at a time.