A writer once said and I quote,
If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted,or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say: ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. source
This will always be one of my very favorite quotes. Our society grows more and more self-absorbed as time marches towards Jesus’ return. We see it in the abundance of self-centered photos and posts across social media. We can also see it in how people demand that others bend to their will or their ideology. For the sake of the minority’s comfort, the masses are ordered to change their way of speaking or behaving. Entitlement plagues our societies as people strive to constantly be in the spotlight. However, the spotlight only shines on a small area while most of the important work is done in the background. Society may say that we need to be acknowledged for all that we do, but God’s word still declares that the humble and the meek will be given greater honor while the proud are humbled in their self-absorption.
One of my favorite women in the Bible is Dorcas Her story is found in Acts 9:36-43. When this woman died, she was mourned by the entire community. So, what grand job or act did this simple woman do to deserve such love and devotion? Verse 36 says, “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.” When Peter visited her, the crowd of people mourning for this woman who had made them clothes and shown them kindness was so thick he had to kick them all out just to get in. She was not a superstar. She did not demand that people revere her. She did not shout out all the good things she had done, and yet she was honored, loved, and mourned. Humble acts of kindness, grace, mercy, and love shout louder than any selfie, tweet, or Instagram photo. Remember Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” So, whether you are a street sweeper or a movie star, do your job well and your work will be noticed by your Father in Heaven.