It’s GREAT to be the Street Sweeper!
Posted on January 25, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call
“If two angels were sent down from heaven,–one to conduct an empire, and the other to sweep a street,–they would feel no inclination to change employments.” – John Newton
Isn’t the above quote so beautiful? I read it two or three times; the message makes me so… happy! The thought of the angels being content, no matter how big or how small their job might seem to others brings, me such joy. It reminds me of that old ’90s show “Touched By an Angel.” It’s so cheesy, but one of my personal favorites. I loved how the angels were happy doing God’s work, and no matter how “difficult” or “unimportant” it might have seemed at the time, they were content in doing the Lord’s will and experienced blessings because of it.
Sometimes believers might feel tempted to look at other Christians who have more direct involvement in ministry and think that they are being used more by God, or that they have more potential. We may, for example, look at powerful speakers or missionaries in third-world countries and think “they lead so many to Christ every single day, what’s my significance?”
Girlfriend! You are so, so, so valuable and precious and significant to God, just as valuable and precious and significant as those you might think are doing “more” kingdom work for God. You are being used.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not a part of the body? And if the ear should say “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
You are so highly-favored in the eyes of Christ, whether your ministry is missions in Africa or at home and in the office. Next time you feel tempted to feel down on yourself because you seem to be “sweeping the streets” while others are “conducting an empire,” remember that it’s not your work, it’s God’s work. He wants to work IN you and THROUGH you. Instead, rejoice that the Lord is using you, and rejoice with your brothers and sisters in Christ whose ministries are continuously producing fruit (1 Corinthians 12:26.) We’re all running the same race, after all.
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!