When God Calls You to Small Things

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)

Do you ever feel like your ministry doesn't count because it's small? Maybe you teach three kids in a Sunday school class while someone else has thirty. Maybe you serve in a role that nobody notices. You wonder if God's hand is even on what you're doing.

Let me tell you about Isaiah. When God called him, Isaiah saw the Lord high and exalted. He repented of his sin and volunteered immediately: "Here am I, send me!" But God gave him something unexpected—a ministry of diminishing numbers. God told him the people wouldn't listen, wouldn't understand, and wouldn't turn back. Isaiah would preach faithfully to a nation heading toward judgment.

Was Isaiah's ministry a failure? Absolutely not. The book bearing his name contains some of the most beautiful Messianic prophecies ever written. Isaiah was faithful to God, and that's what mattered.

Here's what we get wrong: we measure ministry success like capitalism measures business success—nickels and noses, numbers and seats. But God doesn't work that way. Success in ministry is being obedient to God in the lives of people He's placed before you, regardless of how many there are.

Don't worship at the altar of increase. Don't think that unless your ministry is large and expansive, God's hand isn't on it. The smallest ministries often impact people more than you could imagine. God chooses to use fallen flesh to reach fallen flesh with the Gospel. Whatever role He allows you to play is important.

You represent the King of Kings as His ambassador. You're not here to make people love you or pat you on the back. You're here to be faithful to God. Be faithful to stay involved where He's called you. Be faithful to use everything He's given you for His glory.

The assignment may be small, but the God who gave it is great.