Conversation

In Pentecostal/Charismatic circles and less so in broader evangelical Christianity, there is a focus on "doing big things" for God: making disciples, having a healing ministry, planting churches, going overseas as a missionary.

But as I've grown as a Christian, I feel that the most impressive accomplishments are those that others won't see: living a holy life, treating your family members well, encouraging the timid, helping the weak, developing the spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

I guess that's why I am drawn towards Christians who been faithful in obscure ministry (Corrie Ten Boom quietly ministered to mentally handicapped children for decades before WWII) or have suffered well (Watchman Nee spent 20+ years in prison; Corrie spent the last years of her life partially paralyzed by a stroke and unable to talk).

One of my favorite scenes from Brother Sun, Sister Moon—a biographical movie of St Francis (very hippie)—is where Francis is rebuilding a countryside chapel stone by stone. He's not interested in famous deeds, though later in life he reportedly preached the gospel to the Sultan Malek al-Kamil.

In the end, God knows our quiet victories and those will be celebrated in heaven where the first are last and the last first. If He chooses to use us in a public way, then that's beside the point.