“And Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority…” Luke 9:1
Admit it. You feel your small acts of service are futile in light of the many needs around the world. How can you affect the global AIDS epidemic, poverty, or even world evangelization? But consider this: If your small acts are futile, then so were the acts of Jesus.
Jesus explained why such the vast need in the world existed when he said, “The harvest is plentiful but the [laborers] are few” (Matthew 9:37). Yet, for the most part, Jesus didn’t try to reach the masses all at once. He always focused on the person directly in front of Him, performing single acts of service and changing one life at a time. He trusted in the domino effect.
Think about it. Jesus influenced the whole world through twelve guys who were right in front of Him. Doesn’t make sense, does it? And as He traveled from place to place, He repeatedly reached out to and focused on the individual directly in front of Him. Doesn’t seem like the most efficient way to reach the whole world, does it? Yet His approach proved to be powerful and effective, and eventually many were significantly impacted.
CHALLENGE:
Consider the “ordinary” things you did today (or do on a typical day). Ask God to help you see how those ordinary acts of love can be transformed into extraordinary moments of impact.