I’m a compulsive doer.
One of the things that was said a lot around my house growing up was, “If you see something that needs to be done, do it.” I heard it, digested it and it became part of who I am.
Sounds like a good thing, right? But a compulsive doer without firm boundaries can burn out quickly and suddenly NEVER want to do ANYthing.
I’ve read ‘The Best Yes’ (great book, highly recommend) and I’ve practiced saying no to things and the world hasn’t ended. But it’s definitely a muscle I need to strengthen: when to say yes and when to say no.
But what I’m finding is that there are many things in my life that require no long-term commitment, no pondering and praying, that cost me very little, but make the world just a teeny bit better.
And I’m beginning to realize that it’s not just the grand gestures, the hard stands, the withstanding of persecution that brings the kingdom of God. Millions of small, seemingly meaningless acts add just a flicker of light in the darkness. And they matter. It all matters.
God brings multiple opportunities to bring His kingdom every day, and I usually miss them because I’m trying to manufacture some great event that will make a great difference.
As Andy Gullahorn sings, “Walking through a garden of a thousand burning bushes, looking up to heaven for a sign.”
Some people push back against simply ‘doing good.’ They’re afraid people may get confused that they may be earning their salvation, or that doing good makes them a good person so they don’t need Jesus. And those are valid concerns.
But the God I worship has used unbelievers many times to bring His kingdom. If an atheist feeds a hungry child or gives money to support a cause or spends time with someone who’s lonely, it still counts.
It may not earn his salvation, but our sovereign God can stir in his heart the buried inborn knowledge that he was created in God’s image, use that act of worldly compassion to draw that person to Himself and use his actions to bring the kingdom anyway.
It all counts. It all matters.
And that’s what I need to remember when I walk by a piece of trash on the ground, when I meet a homeless person on the sidewalk, when I get a text from a lonely friend. It’s not just grand gestures that illuminate God’s presence in the world. It’s every small opportunity that’s put in my path on a daily basis.
Mother Teresa understood this. She wasn’t a nurse. She didn’t heal people. She didn’t save people.
Know what she did? She made sure that suffering souls didn’t die alone on the street. She and her team loved people in their last days. That’s all.
And no one can deny her impact on the world.
And as she served in small, but powerful ways, she was credited as saying, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”
Bring the kingdom.
I’m a big Lord of the Rings fan. The movies, that is. Still not hardcore enough for the books. And for those of you who have, you have my utmost admiration.
But the stories, albeit abbreviated for the big screen, just take my breath away.
Now when The Hobbit came out in theaters, I was fairly underwhelmed. It just didn’t get to me the way the others did.
But Gandalf just has all the best lines, doesn’t he? Dang. Every word he says deserves its own meme. (Not sure what Tolkein would say to that. I mean it as a compliment.)
“Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I’ve found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.”
Tim Keller says, “If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever.”
To the kingdom.
In a culture that can’t experience even the most mundane event without posting it on social media to be liked and commented on, the idea of doing anonymous or unnoticed good is not terribly appealing.
Does it really matter if I pick up that piece of trash on the sidewalk?
Yes. Because the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 10:26) and even now He is in the process of redeeming His broken creation. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of that? Especially when it costs me nothing?
The car behind me at McDonald’s isn’t expecting me to buy their meal. They won’t get their feelings hurt if I don’t. But what if I do?
On August 20, 2014, one woman went to Starbucks drive-thru in St. Petersburg, Florida at 7 AM, bought herself and iced coffee and then paid for the caramel macchiato of the driver behind her.
That small decision started a chain reaction of customers paying for the car behind them. When the streak finally ended around 6 PM that evening, 378 people had been inspired by the small act of generosity by the person in front of them and decided to do the same.
Now I don’t think that woman planned on making the national news that morning. And Jesus made no bones about it when He talked about keeping good deeds on the DL.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
Does that mean Jesus is ticked off when word gets out about something good and it inspires others to do the same? I don’t think so. From what I know about Him and His Dad, it’s all about the heart behind the action.
And honestly when I see somebody sincerely do something to make a difference, whether they mean to be seen or not, I get inspired to do my part.
So I’m doing another 5k on Saturday. No, my teenage son didn’t talk me into this one. He’ll actually be safely out of town or I’d make him do it with me. The last one we did was the Battle Frog 5k, designed by Navy Seals.
And this one, oh, this one is the Ruck Sack March. A 5k with the option of carrying 35 pounds in a backpack or ruck sack in honor of and to raise money for veterans trying to adjust to life back home after their time of service.
(What is my problem? A lot of people just do regular 5k races, you know, on pavement. Streets. Maybe an occasional Florida-sized hill. If I have to do a 5k, I should do one of THOSE. Or the other option is to sit at home on my butt and donate money online. But I’m doing it. You can still join my team! Email me!)
Know why I’m doing it? Because I got inspired by the actions of someone else, lots of someone elses: The US military. Both of my grandfathers, two of my cousins, several friends, all served or are serving their country and keeping me safe at night.
I’m going to Haiti in January. Something I said I would never, ever do. (Why do I say stuff like that? Maybe just to make God laugh.) I’m terrified of what I will see. Any last vestige of denial, that what I see on TV might not be real will be gone forever. And once you see, you can’t unsee.
Know why I’m going? Because someone else went ahead of me, someone I know and love, who saw first, who was wrecked first, who heard God’s whispers of hope in her ear while visions of hell filled her eyes. And she inspired me.
To be sure, some acts of obedience are intended to just remain between you and God. A private joke that you share with Him with a wink and smile.
But not all good deeds or gifts given are to be done in secret. Sometimes God wants us to step out and draw some attention to ourselves doing His work to inspire and invite others to get in on it.
How do you know which is which? How do you know when to be silent and when to share?
Do a heart scan. Check your motives. If the Holy Spirit is orchestrating it, He’ll most likely make it clear. If you’re doing something out of compulsion or guilt, better to keep it quiet, just to be safe.
But it all matters.
Liberty Mutual has nailed this in their commercials. People doing small things that go mostly unnoticed. Except there’s always someone watching.
Someone wondering if there is a God.
Someone sure if anyone cares.
Someone about to give up hope.
Someone thinking they can’t make a difference.
Until they see you do it. Then suddenly they know that it can be done. And it matters.
Pick up the piece of trash. Smile at the stranger. Buy somebody’s meal. Make the call. Send the text. Five minutes, five seconds can change everything for someone. And bring the kingdom.
It all matters.
