Almost ninety years ago my Dad planted two tiny oak sprouts. Both grew into massive trees. Through the years they have produced millions of acorns feeding birds, squirrels, and deer, and provided shade for my grandfather’s house. Although one tree fell during hurricane Hugo, the other one is still standing bearing its fruit year after year. My Dad was always proud to show off his trees that he had planted as a six year old boy. As far as I know, these were the only two trees he planted. He certainly couldn’t be classified as a timber tycoon. Yet, he had no idea how huge these two little trees would become or could have never imagined the amount of fruit they would produce. One continues producing fifteen years after Dad passed away.
Today, whether it is the secular world or within the church, success is mainly gauged by large numbers and loads of money. The average membership of USA church is 75 people. Mega-churches make up less than 1% of the total—so less than 1% could be considered mega-ministers. If we accept this worldly definition of success, it can leave more than 99% of Christians feeling unsuccessful. Biblical success is faithfully doing the best with what the Holy Spirit has given us where He places us in His time schedule. Mega-ministries get a lot of visibility and attention through TV media. There’s nothing wrong with being large, but we can’t allow these to push the ‘small’ into a less-than-successful category. God gives some five talents, some two, and some only one. In Jesus’ parable He doesn’t say the two talent person was less successful than the three talent person. He commends both the same, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” He only condemns the man who buried his one talent. Yet, this one talent man could have also been successful if he had only used what he had received.
Thirty years ago I meet a young man in Zambia who became our language coach and interpreter. The best word to describe him then would be ‘shy—extremely shy’. He could hardly introduce himself in a church service. Yet, he and I developed a close relationship. He attended the Bible Institute and slowly began manifesting some ministry skills. During that time we planted an English speaking church using students as our ministry team. I saw a potential in him that needed to blossom. So, I focused extra attention helping him cultivation his gifts. By the time we came back to America, he could at least stand in front of people and preach a sermon.
That was twenty-five years ago. I’ve had a few letters but had lost all contact for several years. Recently, when I went to the mailbox I was excited I had received a letter from him. It brought joy to hear about his wife and children and to know he was doing OK in an impoverished country. However, I wasn’t prepared for the last paragraph. Essentially, it said—Oh! By the way I’m sitting in your old office. We live in your former mission house. I’m now the Bishop for all our denominational churches in the Nation of Zambia. I was overwhelmed and began to praise the LORD for what he had done through my ‘small’ contribution in this young man’s life.
I remembered Dad’s oak trees. I had planted a seed, but little did I ever expect such a ‘massive tree, with so much fruit’. To God be the glory! My Dad wasn’t a timber tycoon and didn’t even plant a grove of oaks. Neither do we have to be Christian tycoons or mega-ministers to plant a seed.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
If God has only given you one seed, go plant it in someone’s life. You can’t imagine how much fruit it may produce. Someday, you will receive your commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”