What I Learned About Myself on My Best Friend’s Birthday

I’m not sure what happened to July, but I know that it’s gone! It was a month full of time with family and friends, and now I’m looking forward to what August will bring.

A few days ago, my high school best friend had a birthday. We haven’t seen each other in years, but keep in touch occasionally.

I texted her happy birthday wishes. She replied to thank me and then she shared about a new project she’s working on.

Without thinking, I texted back words of encouragement, telling her how excited I was for her in this new ministry. I told her that I hoped God would use her greatly as she pursues this calling.

I’m genuinely excited for her. It was a natural response to affirm her in her work. It was exactly what I should have done.

But after I hit send on that message, I realized something. Do I ever do that for myself? Am I encouraging myself in the work or the ministry that God has given me? Honestly, no.

How about you? Do you take time to notice and be grateful for what you’re able to do for the Lord, no matter how small?

Now I don’t mean that we do it in a prideful way. But sometimes I think we discount our own gifts or talents as not being important or worthy of being noticed. And looking to build up others doesn’t mean we have to downplay our own gifts or talents.

If we’re doing what God has called us to do, let’s celebrate that. We can be humble yet grateful for what God is doing in our own lives. No credit goes to us but neither do we have to look at what we’re doing as “less than” the way someone else is living out their calling.

Others may have a bigger following or a larger platform or opportunities that we only dream of. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. But let’s don’t discount being faithful. Remember this verse? Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. [1 Corinthians 4:2]

Embrace your place in God’s kingdom. You may feel that your contribution is small and insignificant. But nothing that is done for our Lord is meaningless.

Are you familiar with the song “Little Is Much When God Is in It”?

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

Today let’s encourage ourselves to do whatever God puts in front of us – be it big or small in the eyes of others. Realize that He sees our efforts and is pleased as we honor Him through them.

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