Inspiration in Each Other:
shared by Brod Jun Mayol

   An elderly gentleman, dressed in simple tan pants and a button-down shirt, pushes the cart uphill. By the gentleman’s facial expression, an onlooker would not guess the steep grade of the hill or the weight of the boxes carried by the silver metal cart he’s pushing.

   Although his skin is weathered and tinted by years in the sun, the man’s eyes are bright and his smile wide. By all appearances, his volunteer job–to stuff envelopes, stack boxes, load trucks–is neither glamorous nor exciting. Yet the man’s face tells a different story, the story of his heart.

   It’s a heart that inspires all it touches, a heart that is reflected in every cheerful grin, every boisterous laugh, every hour clocked. The casual observer sees a man who works long, hard hours and is faithful to an insignificant job that is not faithful to him.

   Yet the Lord sees a servant committed to playing a role in the highest calling of all: sharing the life-changing message of Jesus. No, God does not deny the long hours, nor does He confess that the man is admired by the world; yet God takes great care in the man’s heart, one that He crafts daily into that of a servant.

    This servant is one who inspires me. Nameless to you, this servant has a name treasured in heaven. His willingness to be faithful in a role that seems small in the world’s eyes has garnered great glory for God. No doubt, this servant’s faithfulness in small things on earth will give him a greater role of service in eternity.

    One measure of a true servant is faithfulness. The volunteer who pushes the cart uphill is faithful, even when the day is hot and the hours drag long. He is faithful though his work receives little appreciation from others.

    Another measure of a true servant is that he is inspirational.

   I invite you to look around, examine the people in your life. Sure, they are not perfect. No one is. But what characteristics of servanthood do you see in them? Has Christ given them a gift, which they are committed to use for His honor? Have they committed themselves to being personally involved in the lives of others, even at the suffering of their own life?

   The people with whom you work, exercise, live near, and attend church have potential to inspire you. Have you noticed the unnoticeable lately?

   Not only do we as Christians have the Spirit of God living in us to help us serve the Lord, but we also have each other. The apostle Paul exhorts us to follow the Christ-like patterns we see in others. He writes, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us" (Philippians 3:17).

   Ask God to make you sensitive to the everyday servants around you. It will help you:

• Learn how to exercise your faith practically.

• Appreciate the whole body of Christ, especially those with whom you may not have much in common.

• Encourage others in their daily walk with the Lord.

• Inspire other believers as you too have been inspired.

   When God reveals Himself through people, be careful not to compare yourself to them. Instead, praise God for using them as your inspiration to seek Him more.