Do you ever wonder if your efforts make any difference?

If so, let me assure you of this. Never discount what God can do through his people. Our daily discipleship makes an impression on others—and that impression can start to reveal the face of Jesus.

Jane is a thoughtful participant in one of the small groups at my church. She provided some great examples of God working through her grandmother, and gave me permission to share them.

“My grandmother, Archelynn, nearly 99, has been a simple woman in many ways, yet she has been effective in transmitting profound wisdom to me in surprising ways that she would describe as ‘just being obedient’ to the inner leading of the Holy Spirit working through her.

“I remember watching her as a child when she swept the kitchen floor, and how she would symbolically continue out the front door to “sweep the devil right out of the house.” She wanted to impress upon me my power in Christ to control the impact of the spiritual realm on my life, and not to allow the insidious creep of untruth and discord to take up residence. I found it odd, but memorable.

“When I was a bit older, she insisted that I memorize 2 Timothy 1:7 so that I would remember not to be timid and reserved (as was my temperament), but rather grow into a bold and winsome woman who exercises self-control and cultivates her capacity to think.

“More recently, my grandmother used to write birthday cheques in the amount of $58 to remind us of one of her favourite chapters in Isaiah. It’s a heavy section, but highlights practical ways that we can extend grace and generosity towards others, as well as the promised response from God when we do.”

Thank you, Jane!

Brothers and sisters, I hope that encouraged you. Our daily discipleship makes an impression on others—and that impression can start to reveal the face of Jesus.

“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,” writes the apostle Paul, “because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Not. In. Vain.

Never discount what God can do through his people—including you.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.