Combine Driver or Snack Provider, God Needs Us All

One of my favorite traditions from college was the music department’s annual December performance of Handel’s Messiah. Whenever I hear those familiar Bible verses, the melodies return as if I’m back on stage, surrounded by my fellow altos. If you’ve ever been part of a band or choir, you know that every musician plays an important role. As an alto, my lower voice typically sang the harmony line. Altos may not be the ‘star’ of the show, but their voices add harmonious beauty to the soprano voices singing melody. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. -Colossians 3:16

Even to this day, I love being an alto. There is something so beautiful about being the voice that adds harmony. But those of you who know me personally know I desire a more visible role sometimes. 

Year after year, I auditioned to sing a solo for our Messiah performance, and year after year, the part went to someone else. The first two, heck, even three years, I was content with not being chosen. I justified it by saying, “I am a music education major; the music performance majors need this opportunity.” By my senior year, after so much practice and preparation for the audition, not receiving a solo felt personal. I was devastated. It was hard to remember the importance of my alto voice in the chorus and difficult to believe I was actually needed! It was a challenging (and humbling) experience. 

Those years of disappointment gave me an inside view of God's delight in holding a background role in His spiritual harvest. After all, not everyone is called to operate the combine. I am certainly not qualified! But what I can do is provide snack bags for my dad and sisters who have a hands-on role in the fall harvest on our family farm.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. -2 Corinthians 9:10

Large or small, seen or unseen, the opportunities to participate in God's harvest are limitless.  I may not be called to lead the new moms’ group, but I can invite other moms or share it on social media. I may not be called to lead a large night of prayer at our church, but I can fulfill my hidden role on our parish prayer line by praying for those in need without them knowing it is me praying for them. God doesn’t measure the size of our role in His Harvest, He treasures our faithfulness in it.

Lord of the Harvest, thank You for giving me a role in the spiritual plan for Your kingdom on earth. Thank You for choosing me as an instrument in leading others closer to Your loving heart through this blog. I pray for each person reading this post that they may know the importance of their role, large or small, seen or unseen. Fill each of us with a holy boldness so we may overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of our laboring efforts to participate in a fruitful harvest. May we rise above insecurities, disappointment, and lies that make us believe we are not a necessity. You see each of us individually and delight in our unique spiritual qualities.

Until next time, your sister in Christ,

Abby