Tested and Approved

"Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test."

Romans 16:10 

The above words are all that are said about Apelles. Nothing more is known of him. It is enough his was the ministry of the unnoticed--obscure, unseen, but approved. 

We wish we could do something great for God like leading, singing, teaching, speaking, and an array of other more choice gifts that we don't possess. I was reminded of this when I read the devotion about Apelles recently in Streams in the Desert 2, by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. These are some of her words:

"You pine for recognition, for publicity, for some great task which will bring great acclaim! Perhaps there is so much to be done around you of little significance that you shun the responsibility thinking one with less ambition will accomplish the mundane. Many little, unimportant responsibilities can add up to be greater than a few "illustrious" deeds. God is as concerned about the little tasks being approved! So here you are in your little plot by the wayside, little known, and hardly noticed by the world at large; yet "the Lord hath commended you a task" and to that work you must bend your best talent and energy."

I don't believe that most of us "pine for recognition, for publicity, for some great task." But I understand her thoughts. I was reminded of a quote that shares similar sentiments by George MacDonald, Scottish author, poet and Christian minister:

"Few are needed to do the out-of-the-way tasks which startle the world, and one may be most useful just doing common place duties and leaving the issue with God. And when it is all over,  and our feet will run no more, and our hands are helpless, and we have scarcely strength to murmur a last prayer, then we shall see that, instead of needing a larger field, we have left untilled many corners of our single acre, and that none of it is fit for your Master's eye were it not for the softening shadow of the cross."

Always a joy to see bright daffodils fill the land with beauty!

Whatever God has given you to do, only you can do it. He hasn't given your work to anyone else. Mrs. Cowman continues: "A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world's eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfills its mission in this world, that is what God made it to do . . . But the smallest life that fills its place well is far lovelier in God's sight then the largest and most splendidly gifted -- yet fails its divine mission."

We all wonder about our work for God and if we are doing enough. If what we do is worth it. If we are fulfilling the mission God has given us. If we are faithful in what we believe God has given us to do, then we are doing just what He wants. Do the best we can in all circumstances and trust our work is pleasing to our God.

The beauty of forsythia are a welcome sight on a sunshiny day!

If our ears are open we can hear "Tested and Approved" and those wonderful words: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Afterall, God is the one who knows our work and rewards what we do.

"Give what you have. It may be better than you think."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

First signs of color to welcome spring.

By His Grace . . .