Numbers
Numbers. Our world centers on them. We use numbers to tell time, to purchase items, to weigh ourselves. But we also use numbers to gauge our success. How much money did the movie make at the box office? How many album streams in the first week? How many views on the video?
Numbers, though arbitrary and impartial, can evoke such feelings of distress, envy, and comparison. I too have gotten caught up in numbers…how many likes? How many books sold? But recently, in the eyes of eternity, I was reminded no work is insignificant when we’re talking about lost souls.
“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15: 3-7, NIV)
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 8-10, NIV)
These passages bring peace of mind that whether a message reaches 10 or 10,000,000 it’s not insignificant to God. It also calls attention to quality. Your small sphere of influence deserves the same effort as a massive audience. Whatever God entrusts us with, He’s expecting us to use for His glory.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)
These truths get me back on track when I let myself get caught up in numbers. I hope they do the same for you.
