The Power of the Insignificant

THE POWER OF THE INSIGNIFICANT

Mk.12: 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

In the western culture big is better and number two is a loser. The list of the fifty wealthiest people draws much attention. The sports figures with the greatest statistics make the record books. Wealth is power, and wealth is influence. When a wealthy person speaks it carries weight in the public square, while the grandmother who is faithfully raising her drug addicted daughter’s children is ignored if not mocked. The entire culture is built upon the colossal, the grandiose, and the power of wealth and influence.

But that system cannot be found in the kingdom of God. Nowhere. This story of the lowly widow and how her contribution, albeit insignificant in the quantitative sense, was very significant to the mind and heart of Jesus. In fact, Jesus said that her contribution was more significant qualitatively than all the contributions of the rich. And therein lies an important principle as we view things in God’s kingdom. The quiet faithfulness of the non-essential peon may well be more impressive to God than the boisterous self advertisement of the company bosses. And while the television pastors and the mega-church leaders go on Larry King as some kind of spiritual experts, the humble old widow faithfully teaches her Sunday School class and plants seeds of faith within obscure people.

No pomp, no circumstance, and very little recognition upon this earth for such as these. No tickets for a “christian cruise” on Pastor’s Appreciation Day. This widow must trust God to make ends meet, but still her face shines with contented joy. Her opinion is worthless in the marketplace of the opinionated. She prays daily for her family and a small group of missionaries she knows. She prays for her pastor, many times while he is on the golf course with other movers and shakers. Only God sees her, and many of her family never call and never inconvenience themselves with a trip to see her.

She has a drawer of keepsakes which are nothing but junk to everyone else. But still her faith in Christ is strong as she struggles to get out of bed every morning. She never feels completely strong and healthy. Without Medicare she would have died. But many in her church rail loudly against these social programs even though they are completely unwilling to provide the same services themselves. She cannot afford to enjoy the same level of air conditioner that necessitates a sweater in the church auditorium.

While she hears so many loudly support certain political candidates and call others certain names, her focus is far from what seems to electrify others. She loves her little dog and she studies her Sunday School lesson plan with prayer and seriousness. No one will ask her opinion on anything. The prayer life of such an old widow is appreciated on some level, but it is treated as peripheral in light of the important issues of finances, building programs, musical pageants, conferences, and a long list of activities which attract the younger and more modern set.

Yes, in the eyes of the world, including the ecclesiastical world, she is most insignificant. She may not attract the attention of man, but the eyes of the Lord are upon her. One day she falls asleep and never awakens. The angels have escorted her into the presence of her Redeemer. She falls on her face before Him in her new body. The blazing eyes of the Risen Christ look upon her. His lips part, and all of heaven hears the voice of the Savior say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

This one little and insignificant woman is now recognized before all creation. The power of the insignificant has now been revealed. And what is this we see? She has laid many crowns before the Lord while so many important preachers can only watch from behind their wood, hay, and stubble. So keep serving, keep praying, and keep your eyes upon Jesus because in the end, it’s His significance which will make your work significant.