The Value of the Little Guy
Do you ever feel insignificant . . . not even on the map? Sometimes I get introspective, melancholy, and wonder if there’s any meaning in these key strokes as I type t-h-i-s.
Do you ever feel like a minnow lost in a sea full of sharks? Well, maybe not sharks but bigger fish than you are? Do you ever feel like, Someday when I grow up, I’ll be . . . but hold on, I’m already grown up? Do you ever feel like you’re supposed to be something—to be doing something—more than you are, but you’re not there yet?
I do. Almost every day. Maybe you do too.
Sometimes I wonder if life has passed me by. If I was meant for greater things. Things more significant than this simple life I lead. Do you ever feel that way?
Sometimes, I admit, I fail to see the significance of each day. Someone else could do what I do way better than I. So why do I bother trying? Maybe it’s because God called me—and you—not to try but to do. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10).
Perhaps there’s eternal value in just that—in just doing. Being. Me. Today. Right now.
What does Ephesians 2:10 say? I’m God’s “workmanship,” His poiema or (according to the Bible Knowledge Commentary) His “work of art or . . . masterpiece.”
Really? . . . Me? . . . Yes, me . . .
. . . the forgetful.
. . . the hopelessly flawed.
. . . the oh-so-quick-to-feel-discouraged.
Who feels trapped sometimes in the body of this death (Rom. 7:24) and wants out. But then, if I was free, I wouldn’t be the person God has called me be right here right now, persevering through this human struggle we call life. Struggling. Growing. Being me.
So maybe it’s not so bad being you. Being me. The flawed little guy (or gal). The weak.
God uses the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27). He uses people like the apostle Paul who, in spite of a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10), finished his course and kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). And if Paul was anything, he was God’s workmanship.
A piece of art. A masterpiece. Like you. Like me.
So take heart.
Maybe it’s not so bad being weak. Maybe there’s value in being a little guy.
As long as we’re little with all our might.
8 thoughts on “The Value of the Little Guy”
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Adam, this really resonates with me. I often feel that I somehow made a wrong turn or sat still when I should have been moving. That I’m not where I should be. And of course I then compare myself to all the fishes who are bigger and better than me and farther ahead. It’s so hard sometimes to just be. here. now.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. What I feel is one thing. What I know is something else—that I’m here right now where I am because God, in His sovereignty, has placed me here. I can so easily become discontent, but this is life HERE, NOW. This is absolutely God’s best for me, and I need to work hard at what God has placed in my hand. I’m glad it encouraged you. Sometimes I feel like I need to give myself a pep talk, and I figured it might encourage someone else too. You are definitely not alone.
Thank you, thank you, thank you – from one who has been feeling an urgent need to decide what to be when I grow up! I appreciate your taking my thoughts back to the unshakable foundation and the unchanging truths of His Word!
You are very welcome. We can vent and wander around in our discouragement, but we’ll be lost and find little point if we don’t get back to the Book. I’m so glad this was encouraging to you!
Adam, nice meditation. The struggle is part of the poiema. Good to be reminded today as I struggle through these days, wondering what I’m supposed to be doing with the third third of my life. Thanks. Great last thought: “Be little with all our might.” Bless you, Karen
Oh, I know it’s such a struggle. Do I feel like a masterpiece? Rarely. God sees so much more value in us than we do in ourselves. If only we could strike the right balance, but in our human form it’s so tough. It’s such a struggle. So all we can really do is remind ourselves of what God says and cling to the truth. Nice to hear from you, Karen.
thank you for writing this. i am wrestling with these exact thoughts at the moment. i totally agree with ‘doing what your hand finds to do with all your might,’ only up until now i’ve done things i want to do but recently i have to do some things i dont really want to do and my faithfulness is being tested. but i must believe the insignificant is significant because i am his masterpiece.
Absolutely. Even being faithful in small things brings joy to our Father. Thanks for sharing.