Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Unsung Hero (12/07/06)
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TITLE: A Dying Breed: People of Significance | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joy Mounce
12/13/06 -
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My husband and I moved from our home state to another state while in our early thirties. His job and our desire for change prompted the move. Besides, we prayed and felt God leading us to make the move. During the tenure of this move (which lasted only three years), I was employed for a little over a year at the church we attended. While there I learned so much about the inner workings of the church office and also so much about people. One of the people that comes to mind is my friend who volunteered to run the tape ministry. Being the only full time person in the office at a church of around 300 kept me pretty busy, and her volunteering to handle this was such a blessing. I never had to worry about anyone not getting the tape(s) they ordered, or, if one was defective. She took care of it without me ever really knowing. I couldn’t stress to her enough how helpful she was. She didn’t think of it that way though. Sometimes she felt very insignificant, but I know in God’s eyes (and mine) what she did was very significant. After all, our shut-ins and those who needed extra encouragement from Sunday’s message were changed because of the Word they heard on those tapes. This friend has gone on to other things that may seem more prestigious, but to me not any more important or significant.
Then when my husband’s job moved us to yet another state, I recall our youth pastor who served our church and our youth by spending time with those that others felt were trouble or burdensome. My son benefited from this young man’s willingness to spend time with kids, and still remembers the breakfasts at Chic-Fil-A with Pastor Lance and his friends. Many people never knew the time he spent just to make a difference with the young people. All they knew about were the youth services held once a week. It was so much more. This time he spent had eternal consequences. He may never know this side of eternity how significant it really was.
Our next move was back to the state we left before the move mentioned above. This time my husband entered Bible college. He was a student, we were managers of the apartments we lived in, and were on staff at the church we attended. I worked full time, and we had a teenager! Needless to say, our plates were full! Well, there was a lady in our church who always seemed to know when I needed a boost. She would come with a gift of some kind, for no apparent reason. All of these gifts were so meaningful. Sometimes it was jewelry, or a bright and colorful gift basket full of goodies of all kinds. But many times it was an inspirational card or note with just the right words of encouragement. Eternity will tell just how effective her ministry was. But she was not aware of her effectiveness; she was only doing what came “natural” to her. As I think of her I am well aware of her worth and significance in my life alone.
I’m not sure any of these people realize how much their labors of love and sacrifices of time have meant. They don’t do it for the praise or recognition. But, in my book, they are all unsung heroes – a breed that seems to be dying out – a breed we need more of. One day they will all wear a crown with extra jewels because of their sacrificial and selfless service.
Unsung heroes are willing to work “behind the scenes.” You don’t usually see them on the platform, or up front. They are content to be obscure. And most of the time they don’t even realize the significance of what they do. May God bless these unsung heroes, for we could not make it in this life without them.
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