All Members Have not the Same Office

 Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the same office:

I could not do the work the reapers did,
Or bind the golden sheaves that thickly fell;
But I could follow by the Master's side,
And watch the marred Face I loved so well.
Right in my path lay many a ripened ear,
Which I would stoop and gather joyfully;
I did not know the Master placed them there,
"Handfuls" of purpose that He left for me.

I could not cast the heavy fisher-net,
I had not strength or wisdom for the task;
So on the sunlit sands, with spray-drops wet,
I sat and earnest prayers rose thick and fast.
I pleaded for the Master's blessing where
My brethren toiled upon the wide world sea:
Or ever that I knew, His smile so fair
Came, bringing sweet encouragement to me.

I could not join the glorious soldier band,
I never heard their thrilling battle cry;
The work allotted by the Master's Hand
Kept me at home, while others went to die.
And yet, when victory crowned the struggle long,
And spoils were homeward brought both rich and rare,
He let me help to chant the triumph song,
And bade me in the gold and jewels share.

Oh, Master dear! the tiniest work for Thee
Finds recompense beyond our highest thought,
And feeble hands that worked but tremblingly
The richest colours in Thy Fabric wrought.
We are content to take what Thou shalt give,
To do, or suffer, as Thy choice shall be;
Forsaking all Thy wisdom bids us leave,
Glad in the thought that we are pleasing Thee!

by Eva Travers Poole

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When we don't have some "great work" to do, it is easy sometimes to feel like what we are doing for the Lord doesn't really count all that much.  It is so important to remember that no job that God gives us is "too small".  Every work for Jesus is significant.  I especially like the allusion to the weaving in the last verse.  Have you ever seen a beautiful piece of woven fabric - plaid or tapestry or such - where the actual threads make the pattern?  It is often the threads that are used in small amounts that give the most striking aspect of the design.  The other colors may be rich or not, but it is the threads in smaller amounts that often truly make the pattern - the gold threads, the silver threads, the contrast threads.  You may feel like your contribution is very small and could hardly be noticed from man's point of view, but you may find someday in Heaven that the very little that you were able to do was in fact the thread that made a completed pattern most striking and beautiful.  No work in God's economy is pointless.  Nothing is wasted with Him, no matter how small it seems to us or to others.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Graphics by Mary Stephens
published 2015
CA