For the Least of These

By Hope Thompson 

We welcome a new guest blogger this week. My daughter-in-law, Hope Thompson, has graciously agreed to share some godly insight concerning our divine purpose. I know you will be blessed!

God has a divine purpose for each one of us. I believe that our purposes are as unique and tailored to us as our fingerprints.  First Peter 4:10 states “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (NIV) That means our purpose is not going to look exactly like anyone else’s. He has given each of us our own unique gifts and talents to use for His kingdom. 

This is why we need to look to God and not to others for what our purposes may be. God placed us exactly where we are for a reason. He has placed within us exactly what He needs for us to carry out His work, His way. And throughout our lives, He is constantly bringing new experiences and new revelation as we live our everyday lives, study His Word, and spend time with Him through prayer. 

Even though God continues to work in our lives there may be some things we are doing or thinking that could impede God’s good work in us. One way we can do this is by thinking negatively about ourselves and our abilities. Negative thinking will make it harder to say yes to God and leave us unwilling to obey His voice. Let’s discuss 3 reasons why our thoughts may take a negative turn. 

1. False comparisons

Sometimes we think little of ourselves because we compare our lives with what we see others doing. In this digital age when social media consumes many of our hours, comparison is so easy to do. As we scroll through post after post, we begin to feel depressed. Why is my house not clean like hers? Why is my car not as nice as his? Why are my kids not as well-behaved as their kids? We forget that when we see a snapshot of another person’s life, it is very likely the best version of themselves. Most people do not post what is going on under the surface. For example, I saw a picture of what looked like a very loving young family of four playing board games together. Then shortly after, they sadly posted that their marriage has ended. Things are not always as they seem. Getting caught in a comparison trap will rob us of our willingness to keep going - to keep saying yes to God. We must stay focused on staying the path God has for us. 

2. We don’t recognize the season we’re in.

Our lives are made up of seasons. Everything that happens in one season prepares us for the next. Perhaps your season right now is to stay home with your children and teach them to truly understand the Word of God while you dream of starting a coaching business. Or maybe your season is to reflect the love of Jesus to those in your workplace while you dream about starting a full-time ministry. Or maybe your season is to extend some love and kindness by bringing meals to the sick, the broken-hearted, the lonely - the very ones who cannot repay you - while you dream of opening your own restaurant. Be encouraged that whatever it is He has you doing for His people, blessings will flow as a result. Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV) Each season molds, shapes, and develops character to better handle the next season. 

3. We believe our purpose must be a grand plan.

For so long, I wondered about my purpose. I thought I could just wait and God will suddenly tell me exactly what my purpose is and how I could get there. I have learned that most of the time, God does not work that way. When we commune with Him through prayer and studying His word, He will guide our path - one step at a time. I remember feeling frustrated with God because I felt stuck where I was but He reminded me that He is the one who shines the light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV states “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Just like headlights on a car do not illuminate an entire highway, a lamp only lights just enough for us to keep walking. This verse reminds us that we follow God one step at a time. We may not see where our path will lead but God does. Every act of obedience is fully seen and recognized by God.

In Matthew 25:31-40, the apostle includes a story Jesus told about the sheep and the goats. I believe this story indicates the importance Jesus places on actions we might consider to be too small to matter. 

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (NIV)

I believe that Jesus takes time here to tell us that every act of kindness is significant. We could reach out to large groups of people or only one person. We could influence kings or we could influence the poor in our neighborhoods. Every action counts because every person is valuable in the eyes of God. Nowhere in this passage does Jesus say we must preach to large audiences or lead a Bible study of hundreds to further the kingdom of heaven. If you do, that’s great! But if you’re like most people and your sphere of influence is smaller, be encouraged that your acts of obedience are of great significance in the kingdom of God. 

I am reminded of an evangelist by the name of Mordecai Ham. Few people know of him and yet his influence has reached countless numbers of people because he obeyed God and answered the call on his life to full-time ministry despite wanting to go in a different direction for himself. His sermons were then heard by one young teenager in particular. This teenager was so affected by Ham’s teachings that he grew to become one of the best known preachers of the 20th century. That teenager was Billy Graham. Mordecai Ham may not match Billy Graham in prominence as one of the world’s most influential preachers but because of his obedience, God was able to use him to influence the lives of countless others for His kingdom. 

As we study the Word of God and spend time with Him in prayer, He will guide us to what He wants us to do one step at a time. As we stop comparisons, embrace the season we’re in, and follow Him in obedience, He can and will use our seemingly small actions to create a ripple effect that will change the world for His glory.  

I pray this encourages you to go forth and be the light of Jesus to those around you - one person at a time. I am praying for you today. 

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

Proverbs‬ ‭19:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬