Ice Water Anyone?

Deep down in every human being, is a desire to do something of worth that will last beyond this life. According to Spanish existentialist Miguel de Unamuno, “There is an urge in every man to render himself indispensable.”

People think that ‘indispensable’ means they have to do things that receives public recognition with bigness and fame. We think that to so something ultimately worthwhile, we must write a great American novel or pain some artistic masterpiece. There is a common notion that significance in life depends on some kind of public recognition. But such is not the case. Really gratifying deeds are often done quietly and with hardly any recognition. 

Barnabas is a familiar character from the Bible. He never wrote an epistle. He founded no major churches in his life time. And yet Acts 11:24 says this about Barnabas: He ‘was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and people were added unto the Lord.” He was a man who never earned a lot of titles, but he certainly earned a lot of testimonies.

Barnabas never did big stuff that would have made him the biblical standout that Apostle Paul became. He was committed to doing what might at first seem like little things for christ and the church. On the other hand, the precious kindness of Barnabas would be remember by those who survived him. If I had a choice of hanging out with either Paul or Barnabas, I would choose Barnabas. I am sure that a nice guy like Barnabas, who was constantly earning testimonies by doing little things, must have been more fun to be around in the long haul. Beside, there is no Apostle Paul without Barnabas! May we become like Barnabas, a man who encouraged people to be better than they really are!

Some of the most significant things we do in life are often ordinary. Happily on the Judgment Day, Jesus will reward a lot of people who hardly remember the important things for which they will be honored. Sending a card of encouragement to someone who is a bit down, baby sitting for few hours for stressed out single mom, calling someone on the phone to show that you care, and giving a glass of ice water in the name of Jesus! These are some things we do that we hardly remember doing after they are done. But the people we do them for often remember, and Jesus never forgets! 

Disciple Church, be faithful in the ordinary! Be faithful in lending a hand… calling to show that you care… sitting next to a new comer to show the warmth of His church…etc. No one may see it. But that does not matter, because Jesus sees it all! It is He who said, “If you have done it unto the least of my brothers you have done it unto me!”

Ice water anyone? Blessings. Live with Passion!