You Don't Have To Do Big Things For God

Maybe small things...done by all of us consistently...is the way we change the world.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to do big things for God.

That would be considered heretical in most evangelical youth groups. But I think it’s exactly what kids need to hear.

You don’t have to take your high school for Jesus. You don’t have to convert your city. It’s ok to learn about people and their beliefs and background. To befriend them. To tell them about Jesus and to love them whether they convert or not.

It’s ok to go into full time ministry, but it is not the only option. You can be a plumber. Or a digital marketer. A lawyer. A farmer. A drummer. You can launch an Etsy shop and not lose your standing in the Kingdom of Heaven

In our pursuit of “big” we often miss what Jesus is actually doing.

The work that God is doing is rarely mainstream, but on the margins. Christianity does not need popularity to spread.

If you end up doing big things for God, it will likely not be seen or celebrated in your lifetime.

Many who did “big things” throughout history were killed for their work. Bonhoeffer. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jesus.

That’s because Christianity is not a religion of greatness. It’s a call to sacrifice. It’s a call to follow Jesus.

I always believed that God had big things in store for me. It was prophesied over me numerous times.

“I see nations…your ministry will reach the nations of the earth.” These are the words I received many times growing up. “God has great things in store for you.” I felt I was special. Set apart. In a sense, privileged by God.

But as a young worship leader - influenced by the worship culture around me - my interpretation of big things was:

• Big stages.

• Big songs.

• Big influence.

• Big paychecks.

• Big blessing.

• Big tours.

• Big favor.

• Big anointing.

It was an era where modern worship was making quite a stir. Redman. Hughes. Tomlin. It was a new British, arena-rock sound. Guitars replacing keyboards. One BGV replacing the ensemble.

Kingdom Hierarchy

There was a hierarchy in the Kingdom. There were those whom God anointed to do “big things” and those who were blessed by them.

For many of us, we see success in America as the blessing of God. A fast growing church or a song that spreads. A fast growing bank account or a fast growing reputation.

We love the pursuit of bigger, better, and more. It’s not wrong to be an entrepreneur who likes to start and grow things. But it also does not equal the favor and blessing of God.

Sometimes it’s just capitalism and it’s ok to say that out loud.

But in my world, it wasn’t even the desire to pursue fame and influence. That was too taboo. Self-centered. It was the idea that God was going to make this happen for me. He had entrusted me with a platform that was unique and would touch the nations.

I didn’t have to pursue anything. It was just going to happen. It was ordained by God. And I think many worship leaders who grew up in this era feel a similar disillusionment with the system.

Small is OK

Let me just set you free: It’s ok to do small things for God.

It’s ok to pastor a small church. It’s ok to be a local church worship pastor. It might be exactly what God has called you to: local, faithful, consistent ministry.

It’s not ok to waste your potential but reaching your potential does not have to be narrowly defined by bigger, better, and more.

When bigger is the goal, it’s only human nature to take shortcuts to get there.

There’s another side to this: when Christianity becomes fashionable, it may not be true Christianity anymore.

• “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself” will not likely crack the mainstream charts.

• “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” is not likely to go viral.

And that’s ok. We don’t need celebrity advocates for the Christian brand. We don’t need Christianity to go viral.

If you are on the margins of Christianity, celebrate... for that is where Christ is.

If you have no platform, no popularity, no proximity to power, be excited for the opportunity in front of you.

If you get up and go to work everyday, teach Sunday school, and give to missions, take heart that the Kingdom has come.

If you are serving your family, caring for the poor, and cooking for the potluck, rejoice in the power of God on your life.

The care you put into that homemade Mac and Cheese is the work of ministry.

The body of Christ is not made up of God’s favorites who become successful and those who are the beneficiaries of their success. God is not searching the earth for talented individuals to lead large movements, harness massive influence, and steward millions of Tik Tok followers.

When you love the least and look like Jesus and no one knows your name, praise God. Revival fire has fallen.

Don’t be swayed by the spectacle. Don’t long for the larger platform. The bigger stage. Rejoice with trembling when Christianity hits the headlines.

Remember: You don’t have to do big things for God. Faithfulness. Consistency. Like so many of our mission statements: Love God and Love People.

Maybe your faithfulness in the small is preparing you for greater. Or maybe the small, done with consistency and Christlikeness, is the greater thing.

Christianity Doesn’t Need Celebrities to Thrive

Rejoice when celebrities come to faith, but let’s not capitalize on their platform to promote revival.

Let’s encourage the famous to “make it their ambition to lead a quiet life: to mind their own business and work with their hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders” (I Thess. 4:11).

Christianity is not making a comeback because it never left.

It may have lost cultural prominence, but it was never designed to thrive there. It will always be fringe. Christ is working in the margins of society. There will always be a remnant. The church of Jesus Christ has been carried on and lived out by faithful, no name heroes for centuries.

And that includes YOU.