In Luke, Jesus said to not only leave 99 safe ones to find just one lost sheep, but when we do find it, to celebrate, and celebrate big.
One is not so small a number.
We each know or know of grand people, large personalities, that people gravitate to, that people emulate, that people secretly or not so secretly wish to be. His perfectly designed history introduces us to great Kings and Generals that led battles for freedom, leaders of countries that spoke wisdom and truths to the masses, artists of all kinds that are now household names because of their reach across social lines, and missionaries and ministers with humble beginnings who have come to make waves that have reached even the most hidden places.
In the midst of a world making statements, taking stands, shouting louder than the person next to them, whether physically or through countless medias, it feels as if the only way to live a life of purpose, the only way to be bold for your beliefs, is to shout until your voice is gone.
It is all too common for me to feel that if my beliefs are not shared in the same venues as other individuals or if my actions are not as grand resulting in gobs of attention or if my voice can literally not be heard above another's shouting then there is an objective not being met and it is a direct consequence of my lack of ambition or determination or knowledge or ability. There is a feeling that something is lacking somewhere in my soul. Sound familiar to anyone else?
There was a time where I struggled with showing Joy. Why did I not seem as joyful as others with a smile on my face in the midst of any trial and an upbeat voice to go with it? Through conversations with my pastor there was a realization that Joy takes many forms and outlets itself through individual personalities instead of having one face. My joy was just as real as another's even though it revealed itself differently. All our actions in light of the Kingdom follow the same rule.
We are not all meant to have the loudest voices.
"Courage doesn't always roar" ~Mary Anne Radmacher
When there are 7 billion people available, quite a few are going to be known, well known, famously or infamously, depending on their impact. Most of us, however, will not reach that level of recognizability by the masses. For some that may be a relief, for others that truth is a harder pill to swallow. It is in these moments where it is imperative to seek contentment in what you've been called to so that you do not begin calling yourself to places not meant for you.
When you only have eyes to see impact and change happening by those deemed important by the world's standards you place yourself in a position for a few different things happening.
1. becoming overwhelmed with the desire to reach the same level
2. removing God from his place of priority so that you can seek control
3. losing yourself in the process as the dream begins to take that control instead
4. missing out on the smaller things right in front of you
God holds each of our futures and yours could be to become a louder voice among the masses to bring glory to Him, but just as meaningful is the quiet voice and intentional actions that bring glory in the midst of all of our mundane. Actions, for His glory, will speak louder and steadier than any words.
There is beauty in smallness. There is deliberate, intentionality in smallness. Small things are just as important. Small things make wide ripples.
It can seem easy to get lost in the shuffle, to believe you are but a blip, but in Truth that is actually quite impossible. We each are known completely, loved completely, planned purposely, and executed perfectly. We are each small in the shadow of our Creator, rightly so as He provides that wonderful wing in which we can dwell beneath.
I'll be praying for you to see the beauty in the smallness of life, pray for me.
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