I've been thinking a lot about this quote. Sometimes it feels like I'm not really doing very much for anyone--for God. I feel limited and my efforts feel so small.
I do the laundry, the dishes, the school planning. Listen to the jokes, the doubts, and the thoughts. I'm a chef, a chauffeur and a charismatic motivator. (Charismatic is debatable on most days...) Activity director, triage nurse and spiritual leader.
Recently, I read this in Deuteronomy 3:
"Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." (verses 27b-28)
The Lord is speaking to Moses telling him that he will not be allowed to enter the Promise Land that God had promised to the Hebrew people. God instructs Moses to encourage and strengthen Joshua to be the Israelite leader. Joshua will lead the people to victory.
Now, I don't pretend to be a great leader like Moses, but this verse really spoke to my heart.
What if the greatest thing I can do for the kingdom of God is to encourage and strengthen my children to be a Joshua in this world? To conquer unknown territory for the Lord.
What if God is calling me to do the behind the scenes work that no one will ever see except those closest to me? Dirty, monotonous work.
What if my greatest contribution to the kingdom of God is not something I do, but someone I raise?
My answer is "here I am, Lord...send me"-- or keep me right here in this place with these people.