If I’m participating, I’m part of the change. ~ Kristen Welch
In this land of bigger means better and grand means important, it’s easy to think we have to sign up for bigger and grand to make a difference. And if you could throw in a little famous, that would be super swell. Our pastor talked about this very thing yesterday when he read this passage from Acts, the one that describes how the early church chose a few good men to feed a group of overlooked widows:
They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from the Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:5-7
I don’t know about you, but I never heard of any of those folks except for Stephen and Philip. The Word doesn’t describe anything of Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, or Nicolas. However, we do know their service played a vital role in spreading God’s word. They weren’t famous, but they went a long way to make Jesus famous, and in that they became big name game changers.
This week, a team of bomb diggedy bloggers will be traveling to Ecuador with Compassion and bringing the stories of children and their families from the Amazon rainforest to you. They will show us real children with real names.Our family has supported Compassion for years, and while I could make a mile long list of all I love about this organization, one of my favorites is how they give the poorest in this world a name. They tell of the One who created them and knows them by name. If you’d like to see a brochure description turned into a life depiction, follow Amanda, Ann, Sophie, Melanie, and Kelly as they meet children Compassion serves in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
I don’t know how you serve today. Maybe you’re chief bottle washer, toilet scrubber, or dinner fixer. Maybe you hold babies in the church nursery or sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision. Maybe your service doesn’t look anything like mine, or maybe it does. Know our Father sees you doing that thing you do in His name. Your participation and service make His name famous and make you a big name game changer.
{Off to start the laundry.}
What is one way you make His name famous?
Hmm..sometimes I struggle with trying to think of what I do to make His name famous. This is usually when I’ve said something without thinking and realized that I need to be careful not to make His name infamous. So your question really made me think. And I do a lot of work with elderly and disabled folks, both paid and unpaid (at least in money). Even though some of the people I interact with will probably never remember MY name, I try to show them His.
That’s perfect, Amy.
Oh Kristen this very thing has been big on my heart lately! It isn’t the dollar amount attached to our gift that makes a difference it is the giving that makes the difference. I’ve been guilty of thinking that my gift isn’t big enough to really matter so sometimes I would not give it. I bought napkins for our local Mission this week and they won’t even know my name (I sent them with someone else) but I knew it was a need so I gave it. Small gift? Yes. But big difference? I hope so.
I *believe* so, Jamie. xo
This is the very thing I’ve learned in my job in the communications department of our church. I’m relatively anonymous as far as staff members go. I can sit in the sanctuary and most people around me have no idea that the girl next to them wrote the bulletin they are reading or the website they will visit or the postcard that comes in the mail. And early on that bothered me a little bit. But then I realized that my one and only goal should be to make Him famous and to do it by facilitating the ministry and service of my coworkers; telling stories of Jesus moving in and for our congregation, community and world; helping people see how they can connect to God and to each other. Getting my head on straight and remembering this day in and day out has made what I do the most fulfilling work of my life.
Love this. May we all serve in our hundred little ways…”helping people see how they can connect to God and to each other.” Perfection.
Thank, Kristen, for listing the bloggers on the Compassion blog tour… Tonight I will be watching my little brother, who is sixteen years younger than me, for my parents. Small but it will allow my mom to support my dad as he preaches a revival. I love that you reminded us that God sees every time we “give” no matter how big or small. My prayer is that He will use me, even if it means I’m hidden in the background, because it’s really about Him.