Encouragement

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Apparently the Baby Boomers and Generation X need to make room for the Generation Y, also known as the Millennials. Those born anywhere from the early ’80s to the turn of the millennium are believed to be extremely motivated by the social good and by contributing to causes which have huge impacts on their community and society as a whole. It's difficult to criticize such commendable goals, but like any generation, Millennials are characterized by some negatives, as well. Along with an increasing sense of entitlement and a proclivity toward narcissism, they have also been attributed with a growing guilt trip beginning to hover over some Christians quick to accept messages which can make us feel like we are squandering our lives if we don't complete great missions in the name of Christ. Such causes and higher callings of this young generation may cause some Christians to feel inadequate, sub-par or altogether lacking.
Anthony Bradley, associate professor of theology and ethics at The King's College in New York, recently wrote about what he calls “missional” Christians sighting it as a new type of legalism in churches across America. He says, "Today's Millennial generation is being fed the message that if they don't do something extraordinary in this life they are wasting their gifts and potential....For too many Millennials their greatest fear in this life is being an ordinary person with a non-glamorous job, living in the suburbs, and having nothing spectacular to boast about."
Are we really called to such greatness? Speaking to Phillip, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). This verse sounds like we should be doing more amazing things than even the disciples did in the name of Christ. Such things come to mind as saving the lost, performing miracles and driving out demons. These are good things; however, Jesus was clearly not impressed by such extraordinary missions. He warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7: 21-23). These were evildoers, not for the great things they had done, but because they failed enter into a relationship with Christ. In contrast to grand and astonishing deeds—notice that these acts were not discredited—Jesus says that only the person who does God’s will may enter the kingdom of God.
So how do we do the will of God? That’s a big topic, but we know it is God’s will for us to trust in Christ alone for our salvation. That’s a big part of it, if not all of it. Jesus summed up the entire law of God with a couple short statements, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). The Westminster Confession of Faith says our chief end is, “To glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” It’s not as complicated as it seems. The trouble is that we fail in these requirements, as well, leaving us only with our faith in what Christ obtained for us.
While on earth, the focus of Jesus was not on huge numbers or great spiritual feats, but on simple acts of kindness done to those who society may have consider insignificant. Jesus considered welcoming His disciples noteworthy, although they were considered unknowns to the affluent of the time, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matthew 10:42). It was children and the seemingly insignificant to whom Jesus said to pay attention, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest” (Luke 9:48). Jesus taught us not to aspire to great things, but to strive to become the least compared to everyone else. It seems becoming ordinary and insignificant is the path to greatness. God may use us for remarkable saintly accomplishments or to impact significant numbers of people with His grace, but our focus should be on those things often considered inconsequential to the world. Paul confirms this message from Jesus, “Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). As John the Baptizer put it speaking of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). We should carry this same attitude of humility in our service to God and believe that our ordinary lives are great!
Each time we give up lying on the couch in order to help someone, young or old, do a simple task, is that not great? Any time we give to others that which we could have kept for ourselves, is that not an amazing work of God’s Spirit? Every moment we deny ourselves and put the designs of others above our own, is that not a miracle? Are not the years of honest work, faithful friendship or loyal commitment to our companies, communities and church not evidence of much greater things we could ever accomplish in our own weaknesses? Our ordinary responsibilities in life are great when they are done out of joy and thankfulness to our God.
All of us live our daily lives with a deep set calling to greatness but then roll out of bed to address the ordinary struggles of this life. While we should constantly be evaluating the selflessness we display in our lives as we strive to keep God's kingdom first, it's good to remember that we all have different, yet equally important roles to fulfill. One responsibility is no more approved or rewarded by God. It is our faithfulness to each of our individual callings, no matter how insignificant they may seem, which should remain our primary focus in this life.
Our challenge is to keep the guilt—for what we haven't accomplished or for our failures—from rendering us unfaithful in what God has called us to do. Most of us don't need to do bigger and better things for Christ. Most of us simply need to do those things well, which we know God has asked us to do. Although they are given to us by God, these missions are often considered common, routinely discounted and overlooked. They should not be! Because Christ is now with the Father we have the power to complete each ordinary mission we are called to by His Spirit. In Him we can do great things by faith.

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