Sometimes when we’re going through life it’s hard to know whether we are having significant impact upon other peoples’ lives. Affirmation may be rare. But God uses many seemingly unnoticed events as he weaves together History (“His-story”) for His Glory.
Have you ever noticed that some of the most interesting stories of the Bible don’t always name the people in the story? For instance, 2 Kings 5 includes the story of Naaman:
1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (NIV)
In the story, Naaman goes to Elisha and is cured of leprosy. Notice that the unnamed Hebrew servant girl (who probably risked her life in speaking up) is the one who suggests an option for healing.
Or consider the story of the man who is one of ten lepers healed by Jesus, but the only one to go back to express thanks:
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17 NIV)
This outcast, both in health and in nationality, is held up as an example of a grateful heart.
Noah’s wife’s name doesn’t get mentioned either. But I think that to be married to a man who is righteous in God’s eyes – and then watch that man build a huge boat and prepare for flood while all others mock and laugh at the idea – probably made her a strong help mate and encourager.
1 The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” (Gen. 7 NIV)
“Noah’s wife” was a part of a family God declared righteous. That is no small honor.
And a little boy is held up as an example of a generous spirit. Jesus tells the disciples to feed a huge crowd, but all they can find is this lad’s lunch:
9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6 NIV)
A little boy – unnamed, but not unnoticed – made a huge difference to 5000 hungry people when Jesus used his loaves and fish to feed them.
Ever wonder if what you do makes any difference at all?
Ever realize that you have been blessed by an unsung hero?
Ever realize that you have blessed someone else, perhaps unintentionally, but at least not publicly?
It’s good to know that sometimes (often) God uses ordinary, unnamed people – unsung heroes – to bless people and to further the Kingdom.
Thank you, God, for unsung heroes of the faith – people whose stories are told in the Bible and people whose lives have impacted our lives. Thank you for the strong and gentle, quiet and direct heroes in our lives, people who have pointed us or shown us you. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit, by which we can recognize your Kingdom at work. Help us to be willing to be used by you and bless someone else’s life. Help us not to be discouraged when we are long times without affirmation. Help us focus on you, to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness, trusting that all we need will be provided by you, Jehovah Jireh. We pray you would further your Kingdom through the work of us, your children. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.