What am I doing to change the World?

I have asked myself this question so many times that I have begun to lose count.

Sometimes it seems that the events of my life are routine, mundane, and unimportant. I feel as if I could never do anything to change the world, much less affect the Kingdom of God in any way. This feeling is increased by seeing people I consider giants in the faith, doing much more than I ever could.

Then I think about David. I am sure there were many times in his life when he was out in the field tending to his father’s sheep, and playing the harp wondering if what he was doing had any impact on the course of history. Why couldn’t he be out on the front lines of battle with his brothers? Occasionally he would have a bear or a lion come and attack the flock, and David would get excited and energized, and kill the attacking animal. Then the adrenaline would wear off and he would resume his normal duties of tending the flock as if nothing had happened.

David probably never knew that God was using those times of trial with the lions and bears to prepare him for attacking a giant who was threatening the flock of Israel. David was a nobody! He was from the tribe of Judah and the youngest of his father’s sons! How insignificant David must have felt at times!

But David was ready to serve God whenever action was necessary, and did so even in the little things. I think there are several things that establish David as an example in following God:

He was faithful

He was obedient

He was ready and willing to stand up and take action when the time came

Even when things didn’t go right or he sinned, David was still considered an obedient servant and a man after God’s own heart. How convicted I am when I think about this. Sometimes I am sitting out in the field watching the sheep (metaphorically, not literally), which is not the most pleasant of pastimes, and wondering if what I am doing is worth it, or making a difference. I see my brothers and sisters go off and fight great and mighty battles for the Lord and regret I cannot follow.

Nevertheless, God honors these three things:

Faithfulness

Obedience

Willingness to stand for truth, and righteousness.

So even when it seems like I am not doing much, I remember that God is preparing me for something great. It might not be something magnificent for the world to admire, maybe not even slaying a giant, but God will use it. No matter what you do, whether you are on the front lines of battle or tending to the flock, remember God has you there for a purpose, and will honor your faithfulness, obedience, and uncompromising stand for truth.

If you are following Christ’s lead, you are changing the world!