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"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;
for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
(Galatians 6:7)
Do you ever feel like you are not making a big difference in the world? Perhaps you have only seen modest results from all your hard work, and you are beginning to feel a little discouraged. You had bigger plans, but those plans appear to be elusive, and well, you find yourself a bit in the doldrums today. Allow me to encourage you for a moment. You never know the full impact you are making in someone's life or in the lives of many. Like the seed that is planted in the ground, it takes much time before that one little seed brings forth a harvest of plenty.
There is so much to be said for being faithful, taking care of the depth of our lives, and leaving the breadth or impact of our efforts in God's hands. God can truly take a small amount of faithful service and cause it to bring forth exponential results.
When Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address in 1863, little did he know that it would become one of the most famous speeches in American history. Prior to him giving his speech that lasted only a few minutes, the eloquent orator, Edward Everett, spoke for two whole hours! After Lincoln gave his address, he remarked to a friend that he was disappointed in it, for it failed to engage the audience. His message also was greatly criticized by many. One critic referred to it as "the silly remarks of the President." William Storey of the Chicago Times said the Gettysburg address was "a perversion of history so flagrant that the most extended charity cannot regard it as otherwise than willful." The harshest criticisms were over Lincoln referring to the Declaration of Independence when it states that all men are created equal. But Lincoln did not just appeal to the Declaration; he also referenced the King James Bible and a sermon from a pastor, Theodore Parker, who made reference to the government being "of the people, by the people, for the people." (See David Herbert Donald's, Lincoln, p. 461-466.) But history has proven the critics wrong, as the Gettysburg Address is widely regarded today as one of the greatest speeches of all time. If you are misunderstood and suffering for doing God's will, hang in there; time will vindicate you.
We may not even see the full impact of our service to God in this life; however, we will have an eternity to rejoice when God shows us how the little ripple we made evolved into a tsunami of blessings in many people's lives. Hang in there friend. God is up to big things!
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