Little is Much When God is in it

We who worship in a little church in a remote area see little of the seismic growth and vibrancy claimed in other parts of the worldwide church. If we receive a couple of visitors, we feel busy. If we get more, it resembles revival. But for most weeks, 25-30 folk is all we’ll see. For a chapel in the middle of nowhere, this is pretty good, but some may be discouraged. Kittie L. Suffield in 1924 wrote the hymn In the Harvest Field now Ripened. It addresses those in small, insignificant corners of the vineyard, and those who are physically ill and worn-out:

Does the place you’re called to labour

Seem so small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He’ll not forget His own.

 

Are you laid aside from service,

Body worn from toil and care?

You can still be in the battle,

In the sacred place of prayer.

 

The refrain reminds us of how God can use the little things we do for Him to achieve His divine purposes:

 

Little is much when God is in it!

Labour not for wealth or fame;

There’s a crown, and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus’ name.

 

The aim of every Christian is to please the Master, so that when we stand before Him to give account, we may be commended:

 

When the conflict here is ended

And our race on earth is run,

He will say, if we are faithful,

“Welcome home, My child—well done!”

 

Remember, God never calls us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful. Nothing more.

If you can forgive the awful suits and dodgy facial hair, you can hear the Statler Brothers singing a version of it here:

Comments

Interestingly, we now get between 60-80 on a Sunday mornoing- but we are still insignificant and of little account in the eyes of the world.