The least of these

We were created to work and often we assume more is better. We want to scale and reach as many people as possible. And while there’s some value here, we must not miss the personal touch needed in loving our neighbor. Serving the least of these is better than our grand efforts that otherwise overlook the personal needs of those God places in our path. 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to maximize our impact. But we must regularly consider our definitions of success. And all too often we define success by how big, popular, and attractive our work appears to others rather than the small acts of kindness that might have no public recognition at all.  

On the one hand, let’s start businesses, ministries, and movements to advance the cause of Christ in the world. But let’s also not look down on simply visiting with a neighbor, providing food for a family in need, or offering kindness to a stranger. This might also include spending extra time listening to the heart of our wife and kids, calling and encouraging a friend just because, or simply completing menial chores for a loved one. 

These small efforts might be easy to dismiss and not seem as important. But Christ reminds us that as we serve the least of these, we are also serving him. 

As such, it’s certainly not a failure when we’re “just” loving others in these small and often unseen ways. 

To be sure, this is not to neglect serving a larger audience or community when God has called us to do so. But it’s not assuming we need a grand stage to fulfill the work God has given us either. 

In fact, our well-meaning and noble efforts can often cause us to miss many small moments of loving others well. 

In the end, love doesn’t require a grand stage or public recognition. Be faithful to loving the least of these God has placed in your path, even when your efforts seem otherwise small and insignificant. In doing so, you are loving Christ himself. 

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash