We had a Kingdom Kids themed Intercession a few Sundays ago, and as we were praying together a phrase that came up was this: “Effort is not wasted”. There is a lot of effort invested in Kingdom Kids; our shepherds put a lot of time, energy, and love into our kids! Though they play an enormous part in planting seeds in the next generation, it doesn’t always feel that way every Sunday.
Somedays (and depending on the classroom, most days) the class is distracted; they’re talking over each other, they’re not following instructions, and they’re not in their seats. Depending on their own week, shepherds only have 38% or 15% of their own energy to give. Shepherds can teach in a class and leave feeling frustrated, like they didn’t accomplish anything in the time they had. (Thank your shepherds; they’re trying very hard.) But no matter what they bring, God can use it.
Overtime, because of the shepherds’ faithfulness and willingness to come with what they have, the effort that they put into planting seeds can take root and grow in ways that we can see today!
This same principle applies in our own walk with the Lord. Often times we can feel discouraged when we get distracted during our quiet time or feel frustrated because we can’t show up the way we want to. You might feel tempted to skip devotions completely because you missed your early alarm, but God doesn’t need your greatest works to do great things in your life. He cares about your best, whether it looks like 10% one day or 83% on another day.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
The widow’s offering wasn’t the greatest quantity or a large quantity at all, but she gave all that she had. Whatever your best is for today, that is enough for the Lord. The little you have to give to Him, God can use for greater things.
So whether it’s a chapter this morning or two verses on the go, a couple of worship songs on the way to work or a chorus sung at your desk, the effort you put into your faith is not in vain and it is not wasted.