Day 88 Thankful for the value and importance of one

Do you ever get discouraged because it seems like you are not important? Truth be told, most people probably feel that way at some time in their life.

I’ve been there, too, and still hear that little lying “voice” in the back of my mind once in a while.

When I came back from France in what appeared to be defeat, it seemed like I had hit a dead end when it came to ministry.

Thankfully, a dear sister who was the speaker at a conference I attended spoke truth into me.

She said, “Ruth, the gifts and callings of the Lord are irrevocable.” (See Romans 11:29) These words have stayed with me for all these years and given me hope and direction many times.

God does not throw us away when we fail.

Sometimes he redirects us.

In John 4 we find a story about Jesus leaving Judea for Galilee. The shortest route went through Samaria. He could have gone around like the Pharisees did, but part of His mission was to reach all people with the truth that He, the Messiah, had come to be the Savior.

Jesus knew that there was one woman that needed to hear and believe,

One woman who was important to Him even though she was an outcast in her village.

He showed how much He valued the ONE by going just to her, the one who was considered a failure by those who knew her.

God does not see us the way people do.

He has historically chosen the lowly to do His work: from 75-year-old Abraham, to Rahab the harlot, Ruth the Moabitess, David the shepherd boy, and even Jesus, born in a stable with a manger as His bed.

None of these externals actually define us!

God is the only One who has the right to define us!

The Samaritan woman went and told her whole village, and many believed on Jesus.

Just think of how many untold hundreds, thousands, even millions have come to God through the ages from the obedience of one old man, one shepherd boy, one converted harlot, one foreigner, one outcast at the well, one baby born in a stable!

And He can use me.

And He can use you.

As we sow seeds into the lives of our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow bloggers, we have no idea how or when God will cause those seeds to grow into something great that will bring forth much fruit.

Trust Him, not numbers of likes.  Don’t forget that reaching just one can actually end up indirectly reaching untold millions!

Keep up the good work! Keep living for Jesus!

Today I’m thankful that God values each one of us! I’m thankful that He can use us, even when we fail, to bring about much fruit for His glory!

What about you? Have you been thinking that God can’t use you because you failed? Have other people made you feel worthless? Do you feel so insignificant that you feel like you can’t make a difference? How do the above thoughts change the way you view yourself? How does this change the way you will serve God?

photo credit: me