Thursday thoughts: God uses the insignificant

God sees, values, and uses every small, sincere act done in care and with love.”

Last Sunday at church, our sermon was about the ways God used seemingly insignificant people in the Bible to do significant things. I have thought about this a lot throughout this week.

God has reminded me how much little things matter. Let me give you an example. My husband had to retire several years ago due to a disability. He regularly takes a granddaughter to school each morning. He will stop at the coffee shop on his way home and bring me home a coffee. I am sure to him this is an insignificant act, however, to me it is very significant. It makes me feel loved and cared for.

It's amazing to me how the little, small tasks that we do might make someone else feel important and seen. I can think of so many things that make me feel loved and my heart feel happy. One of my granddaughters has a very sensitive heart. She can sense you need a hug at just the right time, compliment you when you might need it the most, and always apologize if she even thinks she might have hurt your feelings. Those might seem insignificant to her, but they are very significant and important to the person on the receiving end.

The definition of "insignificant" is something too small to be important. The truth is, God uses the insignificant to make us feel the exact opposite. The Bible in Isaiah says God has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, held the dust of the earth in a basket, and weighed the mountains on the scales. God is a massive God, and He is big and powerful. He can handle anything that seems impossible to us. Therefore, He can and will use what we deem as insignificant to be significant for Him.

The small acts are important, and God proves that in His Word. I think about the story in Luke about the widow's offering. She gave her two small coins, which some people would look at as really insignificant. Jesus, however, praised her gift as more meaningful than the others because she gave all she had. What we see as insignificant God sees as significant.

In our society today, we are almost taught that small efforts don't matter. God says just the opposite. Sometimes, the small, quiet, unnoticed acts are the ones that mean the most to the person on the receiving end. God sees every small, sincere act that is done, especially those done in love for others because of your love for Him.

I believe that most of the things God will recognize when I get to heaven are the small acts of help or love that I didn't even remember that I did. The ones done out of compassion, care, and love, and maybe to someone I didn't even know. Yes, it's wonderful when someone can give a grand gift to help, but I firmly believe a small gift or act of kindness that is done out of love for others, God sees just as meaningful.

I guess what is really on my heart today is that the small things matter. A kind word, a thank you, a hug, a compliment, an "I love you," or a coffee are all things God can use to be significant in someone else's life. In Galatians 6:9, the Bible says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Small things matter, whether it's for a stranger, a friend, or a family member.

God sees, values, and uses every small, sincere act done in care and with love. Everything matters. Even if it's a coffee in the morning. My question for each of us is what seemingly insignificant act can we do that will allow God to show Himself significant to someone else. Look for the possibilities because small things matter!

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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.