October 5, 2024 Devo

One of my passions is challenging people to find ways to allow God to use them to make a difference. The trouble is that most people would rather sit on the sidelines of life, or they think that if they’re not doing something “spectacular,” it’s really not worth much. The dynamic teachers. The gifted musicians. The singers with amazing voices. People who start ministries that reach multitudes. THOSE are the difference-makers. Or so they think.
That was the Devil’s pitch to Jesus. Jump off the temple. Give a huge demonstration of your power. Draw angels and multitudes of people to the scene. THAT’S how you impact the world! But Jesus didn’t go that route. That’s drawing glory to Him, not His Father. Jesus’ approach was a lot more simple, especially at the beginning of His ministry. It was one-on-one. A single healing. A quiet conversation. A stroll along the shores of Galilee, inviting some fishermen to join Him. Quite a difference from a swan dive off the top of the temple.
The Kingdom of God is advanced by Simple Servants who allow God to use them in powerfully, ordinary ways. Take Mary. She heads up a team who leads our Senior Adult fellowship. They meet twice a month to eat, share a devotional, sing, and play games. They help senior adults who are new to our church connect. Mary serves on our funeral dinner team that prepares and serves a dinner to grieving families on the day of the funeral. She is also one of our greeters who welcomes people to our services on Sunday with a warm smile and a bulletin. She’s an amazing, energetic servant of God making a difference week after week. Good thing she’s only 92 years old!
Few people get to do the spectacular. But ANYONE can be among the army of people who are used by God in powerfully ordinary ways--people who touch and change lives by loving, serving, helping, and encouraging. You don’t have to “make a big splash” for God. You just have to be willing to be sensationally simple. Like Mary. That’s God’s Word for you today.