“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray and gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?” (Matthew 18:12 AMPC)
The Lord said to me years ago when He entrusted Leisa Wilkins Ministries to me to steward:
"Leisa, I left the 99 for the one. The one will always be important to Me. Will you make the one important to you?"
My response was, yes Lord. Reaching one person will always be important to me.
I've taught Bible studies where only one person showed up and taught them like it was a full house. I no longer get discouraged when I share posts and only one person likes, shares, or comments.
When I wrote my first devotional, the Lord told me, "Don't concern yourself with how many devotionals you sell. When you sell one that reaches one, you're a best-selling author in My eyes." That has caused me to write and publish two more devotionals. My sales haven't been great, but I've reached exactly who God has intended for me to reach.
Sometimes, I am discouraged by the numbers, statistics, and analytics. I work hard, praying, seeking God, and studying to write each post I share on social media and on my website. And yes, I'd like to see a bigger response! I'm human. Then I remember Jesus asking me if I will make the one important to me. That keeps me doing what I do even when I feel like giving up or wonder if I'm even effective. "The one!" I want to keep my promise to Jesus and focus on the one.
I believe that our Abba, Father, is in the details of our lives. He knows just what we need, right when we need it, and exactly how to get it to us.
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT)
It's His gift to me, so He's responsible for the results. I'm responsible for being obedient.
I hope this post encourages someone who may want to give up or is wondering if what they do matters. I'm here to tell you that if God told you to do it, it matters! Pleasing Him is more important than accolades from man.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all." (Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG)
I pray His peace surrounds you and settles on you drawing you even closer to Him.
Be Encouraged! ❤