A Mosquito in the Bedroom

from Elliott
I saw a sign in a local shop recently that captured a sense of empowerment that is crucial for those in ministry confronted with what may seem to be insurmountable problems in their area of ministry. It read:

       "Do not think that you are too small to make a difference, imagine the power of one mosquito who finds its way into your bedroom at night"

That really spoke to me since we have to open the windows in our flat, especially at night, due to our lack of air conditioning. There is a real trade off in the hot, rainy season with its significant mosquito population - a cooling breeze or minimize the presence of mosquitoes?   

But if we think beyond our personal comfort it does suggest that we do not have to be the size of an elephant to create attention or to impact someone else. In fact, that minute mosquito can get our full attention simply by buzzing about our head for a short period of time. Of course, that is negative attention which does not help much in ministry.

It was Helen Keller who said: "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each worker."

It seems like in our western culture that we are prone to idolize our heroes and praise them for doing great things. Unfortunately, it ends up being an excuse for the regular folk to accomplish very little or not even make an attempt. After all we are not that powerful...

One thing we have found here is the impact seemingly minor gestures can have. Things like acknowledging the presence of a typically marginalized person while walking down the road, smiling at a child, inquiring genuinely as to the well-being of a widow in your midst and then being willing to hear the answer, offering a person with a heavy load a ride in your vehicle, etc. The list goes on...but it is not just in South Africa it is everywhere and each of us has the power to make a difference. When done with the love of Christ, the impact is immeasurable.