God seems to take great joy in using the small things of life to do great things. "Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.' Again he asked, 'What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough'" (Luke 13:18-21, NIV) The small things we do make a difference.

God used the gifts and abilities of a group of teenagers to encourage a small group of Christians in a small town. They played games with the children. They sang songs with them. They told them Bible stories. They held them when they cried. They carried them on their shoulders. They talked to them. They listened to them. They brought life to a weary group of believers. God used them.

God is using a man and his wife to work in building his Kingdom. He is working through them in an attempt to build a church in a very difficult area for ministry. They literally helped build a building. They have talked to people. They have loved the people. They have dreamed with the people and tried to get the people to dream with them. They work hard. God is using them.

God used a friend to help save a person's life. When she was frightened and confused, a friend loved her just as she was. She comforted her when she was sad. She helped her find hope when it seemed hopeless. She walked with her through the darkest days. She was there with her when the sun broke through the clouds. She did not do much, but she was there. God used her.

God has used a brother in the Lord to help restore a broken spirit. He knew the sin his brother had committed. Rather than ignore it and pretend it never happened, he confronted his brother. He talked with him. He would not accept his excuses. He refused to give up on him when others had. When the friend came with a broken spirit he loved him and stood with him. The fallen brother has risen again. He is once again strong and full of life. God used him.

God uses people everyday to carry out His will in the world. He uses ordinary people just like you and me to do amazing things. The Scriptures are full of stories of regular people who became extraordinary people by allowing God to use them for His glory. That process did not end when the Scriptures were completed. He has probably used someone in your life within the last few days to do something that needed to be done. He may have used you to do His work.

Here are two suggestions:

First, as you move through your week, look for people that God is using to accomplish His work. Tell them you noticed how God has used them. Thank them for being open to His leadership and willing to let Him use them. Especially thank them if the work that was done was for your good.

Second, let Him use you. Make yourself available to His direction. Put yourself in a position that will allow Him to shape you, train you, and direct you to the person He wants you to influence. Expect to be surprised. Be ready to be amazed at what He can do with what little you have. It may not make the headlines of the local paper, or be the lead story on the evening news, but in one or two people's life it may be what gives them hope to take another step, try one more time, and live another day.

Look for people that God is using to accomplish His work.
God uses people everyday to carry out His work. Let Him use you.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13)