“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:13-14 The Message Bible)
My first-grade teacher didn’t know. My second-grade teacher didn’t know. The same can be said for all my elementary school and high school teachers, “They didn’t know.” While these esteemed educators had high hopes for all their students; hoping that every single one of them would exceed expectations and overcome educational, societal, and motivational obstacles, the fact remains, when it came to knowing if their hopes were realized, “They didn’t know.”
What didn’t they know about us? They did not know how much knowledge we would retain. They did not know if their superb, pedagogical efforts were in vain. They did not know if what we took away from their well-planned lectures and well-designed lessons would lead to our personal gain. “They didn’t know.”
Did they know how much we would benefit from their sacrifices, advance notices regarding the need to be prepared for the world beyond school days, or did they have any idea how their instruction would equip us to deal with real life crisis? No! “They didn’t know.”
Think about our Christian educators. Did all of our Sunday School teachers and the well-informed, well-prepared, powerful presenting pulpit preachers ever see whether or not the wisdom they imparted from the all-intellectual mind of God, found in the insightful scriptures He inspired; did they see that what they imparted was taken serious and indeed kept us from being in the insolent gangs of the impish and mischievous? No! At the time we were in their purview, there is no way they really knew. Some might have had an inkling and some a felling, but you know what? (Say, “What?”) “They didn’t know.”
But you know what? (Say, “What?” again.) They knew that our lives were like films being produced over time and they knowingly, professionally, and devotedly served as directors and producers, influential and important cinematographers for only a segment of the multiple frames, just a small bit of the footage of our personal life-story flicks. The works are still in progress. They did their part while they could, as best as they could, laying down footsteps for us to walk in during our days. With high expectations and great anticipation, they set us on our course to be what we would be. But did they know? “They didn’t know.”
For someone younger than you, my dear Christian friend, you will become like those I mentioned above, as you make disciples in your home and in all types of places and all kind of spaces; sites where you run into all kinds of faces. Hear these words. Your salt must be tasty, and your light must be shining. You read Jesus words in the opening verses, right?
We will never see the final product of our faithful, productive use of our time, treasure and talents. So, don’t question the worth of your work, not downplay the value of the work you have already accomplished. No, sir! No, ma’am! You just keep laboring faithfully on the frame where people are when they come into your life and under your godly influence. Just do your part with your whole heart! Don’t just go through the motions but give it all you got because of your devotion to the One above who is still giving you time to do your best. Stay steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. For the bible says, “Your labor is not in vain.” Keep it up! Don’t be discouraged!
We will never know the true outcome or how far-reaching our impact will be. Yes, you are affecting individuals, but as they affect others, your efforts go far beyond what you can conceive. Yes, what you and I do in the frame(s) of one’s life footage, the frame or frames that we have the privilege to add to their development, it may be multiplied, perpetuated for generations to come. Praise God!
All we can do, using another movie term, is give it our best shot. Are you ready? Well, lights (of the world), ready, praying on the set, ask God to give the increase on top of what you do! Have a great Saturday and do some work on somebody’s life in a positive way in the fellowship of the saints tomorrow, Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Be blessed!
“After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” (I Corinthians 3:5-6 NLT Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King