Reality TV and me? Not a good fit. No one is going to make a reality TV show about my life anytime soon. My life consists simply of loving and caring for my husband and daughters, working at my church part-time, doing some writing, and trying my best to love others in my spheres of influence. From the world’s perspective, I’m not worthy of the bright lights.
But that doesn’t mean I’m not important to God or to those around me. I’m firmly convinced that living out the ordinary parts of life is sacred and special to Him. Being faithful in the unseen little things, in obscurity, is important (Luke 16:10). And it’s something God greatly values.
It can be easy to be on our best behavior when we’re on the big screen, on a stage, out in public, at church, or hanging around those who are mere acquaintances. As Jesus pointed out, it’s easy “to appear righteous in public” (Luke 16:15). The question is, who are we in private and obscurity? Jesus tells us that if we’re faithful in little things, then we’ll be faithful when we’re given “greater responsibilities.” If God can trust us when no one else is looking, He can rely on us when there are onlookers.
The world is constantly wooing us to conform to its standards, to do the things that will make us popular or famous. But God’s standard of measurement is far, far different. In fact, Jesus’ words to the Pharisees are helpful for us today: “What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).
We may never be celebrities, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t think of us as shining stars in His universe (Philippians 2:15 NIV). May we follow Him; and as He leads us, may we do the little and the big things well.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Proverbs 4:1-27
More:
Reflect on Isaiah 57:15. What kind of people does God choose for fellowship?
Next:
Do you measure yourself and others according to God’s standards or the world’s? What little things will you do to God’s honor today? Why?
Gary Shultz on May 19, 2016 at 6:08 am
Love it Marlena. This in essence is also how I know God is so great. He cares for the little things in my life. Over and over again he keeps me safe as I travel, over and over He supplies my daily needs. God lives large being the best at allowing the regular and the little. And I certainly agree that our lives must be spiritually built from the little things up. We both also know that God will reward the little things too; that’s the Kind of God we have. I think He looks for ways to reward us and no stone goes unturned and no time lines are applied. Now we just have to do our part in being thankful for God’s faithfulness in the small, in the regular.
Congratulations Marlena, you’ve made the little – big life.
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Thank you Gary, and for the encouragement, too. I love how you put it: “God lives large being the best at allowing the regular and the little.” So well put!
tedsenapat on May 19, 2016 at 6:53 am
Great Thoughts, Marlena! I was also thinking that one day God is going to play the “Reality TV” reel of our lives and it pays to live our lives with that thought in mind. Not fearfully but with the JOY OF THE LORD!
Blessings on You, Marlena, as I can see the Lord saying, “Well done Good and Faithful servant” to You!
(Pardon my punctuation and uppercasing … I write like I speak 🙂 ) GOD IS GOOD!
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:18 pm
It’s true isn’t it, there will be sort of a highlight reel of our lives. My prayer, like yours, is that he would say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Blessings!
gagirllive on May 19, 2016 at 7:22 am
Marlena, great reminder today that little is much when God’s in it. By the world’s standard, my life may seem small and insignificant, and I may even question myself at times if I am living the life that God had planned for me—wondering if He had something “bigger” for me to do. Then I remember what Zachariah 4:10 says…”Do not despise the day of small things…” God’s into small stuff. It seems to be His M.O. I’m thinking how often He used “little things” to accomplish His big purposes—Moses and his rod to deliver a nation, David and his handful of stones to fell a giant, a young lad and his small lunch to feed a multitude, twelve ragamuffin men to turn the world upside down—just to name a few. It’s in the little—the small and seemingly insignificant things—that God’s greatness is manifested. A hundred years from now no one will even remember that I existed, but God has a record of my life, and what passes through the fire at the judgement seat of Christ will be a testimony of God’s value for all the “little things” done in His name and for His glory. (And that’s far better than Reality TV!) 🙂 Thanks for this sweet encouragement today, Marlena!
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:20 pm
You encouraged me. In fact, you wrote out a whole great devotion, yourself! Thank you! Let us remind ourselves with the Scripture and example you cited: Zachariah 4:10 says…”Do not despise the day of small things…” Blessings!
davedon on May 19, 2016 at 7:54 am
There’s an old saying that applies here, ‘Who you are in private, is who you really are…..’ Great devotional and an encouragement that little things matter a great deal to God.
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:21 pm
I hadn’t heard the old saying put like that, but it’s true. Amen! Who we are in private is who we really are.
Tom Felten on May 19, 2016 at 9:08 am
Marlena, I’m reminded today of my sweet Grandma who raised several kids, working tirelessly to feed them, wash their clothes , caring for them and her husband . . . and others! Even when she was old and afflicted with arthritis, she would get down on her painful knees and pray for each family member (and others) each day. What a big, beautiful light she cast in her humble, quiet way.
sandy229 on May 19, 2016 at 9:50 am
Reminds me of my Grandma Tom. She also had arthritis, but got down on her knees every night to pray for all of us in our family. I’m sure it was very painful for her, yet she did this every night to make sure we were all safe and in His care.
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Amen. How many of the good things in our lives are the result of others’ prayers? Your comment and Tom’s make me wonder. Blessings!
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 4:23 pm
My abuelita, grandma, with a third grade education was the kind of servant your grandmother was. And an example to me. Many of her prayers for you all have been answered, haven’t they. Her life and prayers carry on through you all.
Regina Franklin on May 19, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Marlena–what an appropriate word for our culture today where social media affords us an immediate stage on which to live our lives. Like you, I believe the most powerful interchanges happen in the unseen. Too often we confuse the broad proclamation of the gospel with the broad proclamation of ourselves.
Marlena Graves on May 19, 2016 at 10:54 pm
Regina – pure gold here “I believe the most powerful interchanges happen in the unseen. Too often we confuse the broad proclamation of the gospel with the broad proclamation of ourselves.” Thank you.