Doing little things of great importance

Yes, that is a guy in a wheelchair edging the lawn at his church. The title of this picture is No Excuses.

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is free up someone else to do more important things. Make sense? I thought about this as I wrote thank you emails today to the youth groups at FBC Snellville, GA and Oak Hill Baptist in Lawrenceville, GA. These groups came and helped our church plant clean up our property, pressure wash a fence, cut the grass, and clear brush. Not important, right? Wrong. This not only made things look a whole lot better for visitors who might be giving us a first glance, but also freed up me and many other leaders at our church to spend time with people.

So what other little things of great importance can we do? Babysit for a church planting couple and let them take a date or visit with someone in the church in crisis. Fold flyers or put stamps on envelopes so a pastor can pray with someone at the hospital. Set up chairs for a church service so a church planting team member can share Christ with the school janitor.

My point is that when we offer to serve in what we think is a small way with humble hearts, sometimes what we do allows really great ministry to take place. And that means cutting the grass is more important than just a nice lawn. Our efforts are multiplied when they free up others to do the big stuff. There was a song a while back that said, "little is much when God is in it." I want to thank my new friends - Ashleys, Lindseys and all my chainsaw and weedeater-wielding buddies for making the little things count, with smiles all round and for giving me the chance to do some things that really matter this week. Not ready to plant a church? Find someone who is doing it, and cut their grass. That is what partnership is all about.

Oh, and while we are at it, you may not be able to fund a new church by yourself. But that tithe you put in the offering plate or that few dollars you send to a missionary really adds up when added to the gifts of thousands of Christ-followers around the world. My denomination (SBC) calls it The Cooperative Program and when you cooperate with others it gives your little bit a chance to make a big difference. Like I said, little is much when God is in it. Give what you got and see what God does.

For more on this, see John 6:8 and the surrounding story and find out what happens when a little guy gives a little to God. What can you give?