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Your "Small" Life Can Still Have a Big Impact

  • Rachel Dawson What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Apr 29, 2016

Some days, it feels like my life is just a monotonous routine, a rather uneventful rhythm of days at work and nights at home with errands and meals and to-do lists in between. Sometimes, it feels like all I really do is switch loads of laundry, empty the dishwasher, cook another meal, write another blog post, tackle the list of tasks at work, and try to get some sleep.

Am I making any sort of difference in the world?

Does what I do every day even matter?

How could this life be called ministry at all?

There are moms that spend hours wiping noses, stepping over scattered toys, keeping the house run, and trying to calm the chaos while keeping their wits about them.

There are women who are up early to get lunches made and schedules planned before they’re off to work, pursuing careers and climbing ladders and getting the job done.

There are young women trying to find their place in the world, piecing together jobs or trying to chase their passions while still navigating the many unknowns of adulthood.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not glorious.

But ladies, hear me: You are making a difference. Your life is minstry too.

Lisa-Jo Baker’s recent article “When You Worry Your Life is Too ‘Small’ to Qualify for ‘Big’ Ministry” agrees.

“Don’t tell me that pulpits are only found in churches and speeches only come from stages. Don’t tell me that microphones are necessary to be heard,” Baker says. “Don’t tell me that Cheerios, diapers, laundry, and dishes aren’t serious theology.”

The hours spent driving children to and from school and practice and playdates may feel ordinary and uneventful, but those hours are what Baker calls “wild obedience; heartbreaking missions.” Those hours matter.

The time spent pouring into the people who live under your roof is not time wasted, but time spent intentionally molding hearts, minds, and souls. That time matters.

It might not look like what we think of when we hear “ministry.” That word usually brings to mind stages, microphones, names on book covers, massive social media followings, and a public platform. But isn’t it all ministry, even our “small” lives, our normalcy, our day-to-day actions?

“Don’t measure my meaning in stats; don’t count my contribution with your calculator,” Baker says. “Because God has already credited our faith as righteousness.”

When we are faithful with our days, when we are committed to the work in front of us and striving to do it well, when we are loving on the little ones and making a home for our loved ones, we are living our lives in service to God. We are living out our callings, and that is ministry just as much as what goes on from the stage on Sundays.

“Don’t tell me we can’t leave the back door open for that misunderstood word, ‘ministry,’ to come quietly in,” Baker says. “Along with the neighbor’s kids. All the dirt in the back yard. And Jesus.”

Christina Fox wrote a prayer for weary moms that is a great reminder to focus on Him daily, even in the routine of normal life:

“Help me to find my joy in you and not in my circumstances. Help me not to fear whatever twists and turns may come. Help me to love my children and serve them well. Help me to enjoy each moment with them and not spend my time worrying about the next moment to come. May I remember that even when it feels otherwise, you are always with me and will never leave me or forsake me. Tonight, may I sleep in peace knowing that even when I lose my grip, you never let go of me. And may I open my eyes in the morning to find mercy, fresh and new, ready for the taking.”

No matter what your days look like, and no matter how small your life might feel, know that your faithful work is ministry to our Heavenly Father, and it matters.

Publication date: April 29, 2016

Rachel Dawson is the editor of BibleStudyTools.com