A WORTHWHILE LIFE

We are unlikely to have Abraham’s calling to become the father of nations. Not many of us have the strength of Samson to bring the perpetrators of evil to justice. It is rare to be given the responsibility, like Esther, of safeguarding the people of our nation. And most of us don’t have the fearlessness of the prophet Daniel, risking life and limb for our faith, or even the vigor of the apostle Paul, who evangelized almost the entire known world of his day.

Most of us are more like those unnamed individuals scattered throughout the gospels, like the men and women who sat on the grass listening to Jesus, enjoying the meal of loaves and fishes, and hopefully letting His words sink into our hearts and change our lives. He’s given us a lot to chew on, that’s for sure.

We don’t need to do something outstanding or showy with our life in order for it to be worthwhile. The secret is finding out what God’s calling for us is and how we can best fulfill it. Some of the most meaningful lives are built by doing little things in countless little ways.

Dear God, give me faith to believe, love to put others before myself, trust to share with those in need, strength to do what needs to be done, patience to offer a listening ear, and kindness to pay attention to those around me.

I would like to be a more selfless, caring person, like You. Please come into my life and fill me with Your Spirit of love, so I can learn to think more about others. Help me to live a worthwhile life, not necessarily through some great accomplishments, but through a collection of small, loving, and meaningful actions, day after day—not for glory or reward, but because I want to follow in Your footsteps, as the one who went everywhere doing good.

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.—Author unknown, often attributed to Mother Teresa (1910–1997)

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?—

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Romans 9:21 (NIV) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Acts 13:15 (NIV) After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

Acts 10:38 (NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.