‘Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.’ Those words, spoken by the Dutch, post-Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh, would be vividly reflected in a style he used in his 1887 painting, ‘Self Portrait.’ The artist was heavily influenced by Pointillism, a technique of applying paint in a pattern of hundreds of small, different colored strokes or dots. From a distance, the eye does not see the dots individually as the colors blend to form an image, or in van Gogh’s case, a masterpiece. Each dot is seemingly insignificant alone, but together they create beauty.
Much of the Book of Exodus is devoted to the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable worship center that would be erected in the geographical middle of the nation of Israel, with all the tribes encamped about it in a designated formation. The Tabernacle was a tent, a very large tent, 15 feet in width and height, 45 feet in length. Three layers of covering protected the tent, the innermost consisting of a gorgeous tapestry of blue, purple, and scarlet, with the tent itself framed with boards overlain with gold. Among the furnishings was the most sacred Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat where God met with His people. But the Tabernacle was portable; when the people moved, it moved, and the task of dissembling and moving that glorious creation fell to the tribe of Levi.
I read today of the little-known family of Merari, the youngest son of Levi. The responsibility delegated to this family would not be to handle the beautiful tapestries or the sacred furnishings, but they would carry “the boards of the tabernacle…and the bars…and the pillars.” And although that seems insignificant and not terribly elegant, every man in that family knew what his job was and performed that job faithfully.
Never underestimate anyone’s function in the body of Christ. Perhaps the temptation to value some ministries above others is why Paul exhorted us to honor all members of the body, “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour.” Regardless of what God has tasked you to accomplish for Him, remember that no job is insignificant. God doesn’t require us to compare ourselves among ourselves, He only requires faithfulness. And when those ‘small things’ are brought together, the results are amazing.
I Corinthians 12:18 But now God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Lord, thank You that we all have a job to accomplish for You!