NORTHSHORE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Among David’s three chief mighty men stood Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the Israelites fled from the Philistines. But Shammah took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory. (2 Samuel 23.11–12).

When I travel from one big city to another, I’m struck by the sheer numbers of individuals and families. They are everywhere! And each one has a lifetime of stories and struggles, dreads and dreams, loves and losses. It’s mind-boggling for a finite human like me. I cannot comprehend!

God keeps track of all these humans, some of whom perform mighty deeds, some of whom turn darkly evil, some of whom He converts and saves. He knows them all by name.

I find comfort in knowing it’s not my job to keep track of everyone in the world. In fact, even as a shepherd of the church here in Mandeville, LA, it’s not my job to keep track of everyone in my congregation! I try, but it’s impossible. On Sundays I walk my neighborhood and pray for my congregation by name, and it’s always overwhelming to think of every person with his or her troubles and struggles, because we all have them, and God has not equipped me psychologically, emotionally, or physically to bear the burdens of everyone around me.

Praise God, He does!

However, God has equipped me to fight in my own plot of land. I cannot fight in every plot of land, but I can take my stand in the midst of my own plot and defend it. I can fight beside and for the people to my left and right, front and rear. This is all God has called me to do.

On the one hand, God has called me to fight in His army, and to fight hard. On the other hand, he only expects me to fight the enemies immediately around me. If I make this my focus, I will do well.

If I don’t take up the sword in my own home, I lose. If I don’t engage the enemy in my workplace, I lose. If I don’t fight the spiritual forces of darkness in my own town, I lose. Some people, such as emperors, governors, presidents, etc., can affect the world stage in some ways. But most of us are simply given a plot of land to defend.

There is plenty of fighting to do on my plot of land.

And if I fight hard for Him, I could still be numbered among God’s mighty men.

She opened her eyes to the sound of her phone alarm, stabbed a finger at the off button, and stared bleary-eyed at the ceiling. The faithful sun was filtering softly through her bedroom curtains. If only she could just enjoy the morning, she thought, but children would be needing breakfast soon, leftover dishes in the sink would not wash themselves, today was laundry day, and she had wanted to clean the garage. She also needed to prepare to teach a kid’s Bible class that evening.

He opened his eyes to the sound of his phone alarm, stabbed a finger at the off button, and stared bleary-eyed at the ceiling. The sun had faithfully risen again in the east, peeking through his window blinds. If only he could just enjoy the morning, he thought, but he had to be at work at 8:00 sharp, the boss was planning a working lunch today, and he had to return home in time to eat and take his family to Wednesday evening Bible classes at the church.

With a sigh he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, shoulders hunched for a couple of seconds, willing himself to start moving. His wife usually had coffee going. He’d drink a cup, and the day would progress, as it always did…every day similar to the last.

We sometimes think our plans are small and our days are insignificant. What did I do today that was worthwhile, lasting, enduring? What will I do tomorrow that will be a game-changer?

Take heart! God has not called us to be significant. He called us to be faithful. Over time, we discover that being faithful is significant.

What does God expect of us, and for what purpose has He designed us? One of the prophets, Micah, wrote this: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6.8) The wisest of the wise, Solomon, wrote: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12.13).

Jesus does not teach us how to become world leaders, though some will be (Daniel, David, Joseph, etc.). He does not teach us how to run massive businesses or become social icons or rub shoulders with movers and shakers. He just calls us to be faithful wherever we happen to be. God empowers us and “apportions to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12.11). We have “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (Romans 12.6), and God calls us to use whatever gifts He has granted to serve Him and serve others.

The Christian who finds himself with social or political power still considers himself a servant, because a servant is the highest office in the kingdom. Jesus, the ultimate servant, taught His disciples in Mark 9.35, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” In Mark 10.42-45, He said:

“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If Jesus wants me to serve—like that is my main objective here—that helps me understand what is truly important and relieves me of a lot of pressure! Some martial artists call a multiple attacker situation a “target rich environment.” Don’t dwell on the fact that your attackers have more weapons (hands, feet, etc.) than you; focus on all the targets you have. I’m not sure if that illustration will hit home with everyone, but the point is it’s a mindset issue. Flip the script, as they say. If we continue to focus on how inconsequential and insignificant our day-to-day business is, we can easily become depressed and feel we are losing whatever race we think we are in. But if we recognize the value Jesus places in a cup of cold water given to a little one (Matthew 10.42) or in receiving our meals with thanksgiving, then we will understand the great consequence and significance in all our everyday, little things.

When my wife hands me a cup of coffee, she does something wonderful. When she takes time to drive one of the kids to an activity that will help him grow and mature, she is working in the kingdom. When I bring some flowers home to my wife, I demonstrate love. When I wash the dishes, I bless my family. When I finish a hard day of super-normal work, but I put in honest effort and worked as if I were working for the Lord and not for men, I glorify God.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10.31).

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3.17).

She opened her eyes to the sound of her phone alarm, stabbed a finger at the off button, and stared bleary-eyed at the ceiling. The faithful sun was filtering softly through her bedroom curtains. She knew she had a lot of things on her plate for the day, and she probably would discover two or three unplanned items, but this was a day the Lord had made. She would be glad and rejoice in it.

He opened his eyes to the sound of his phone alarm, stabbed a finger at the off button, and stared bleary-eyed at the ceiling. The sun had faithfully risen again in the east, peeking through his window blinds. The boss had plans for him today, and his family needed his attention, just like every day. “Dear God,” he prayed, “I thank you in advance for the blessings of this day. Please help me serve well.”