“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

   - Matthew 25.23

And this great favour was also conferred by God on that man of blessed memory, that, although he lived in this small and remote island of the Britannic ocean, he merited that his name should not only be illustriously renowned throughout our Ireland, and throughout Britain...but that it should reach even as far as Spain, and Gaul, and Italy...also the Roman city itself...

   - Adomnán, Life of Columba, Irish, 8th century

How much influence for the Kingdom of God can we expect to have?

Most of us lead fairly ordinary lives. We go to work, take care of our families, enjoy a few diversions, participate in church. We’re not out to change the world. We’re just trying to do our jobs, take care of our business, get by.

Columba (Colum Cille) served most of his adult life on an isolated island to the west of Scotland, only making occasional forays to the mainland to preach the Gospel to the wild peoples there. But when he was busy on Iona – teaching, working, writing, training his followers – he stayed focused on the Lord’s calling and Kingdom, and he was faithful in every matter that came his way.

His example, exertions, and exhortations were the means God used to launch waves of missionaries and evangelists from Iona to Europe, and to build up communities of holiness and scholarship in Iona, Ireland, and beyond.

If we are faithful in the things God gives us to do – no matter how small or insignificant they may seem – looking to God, honoring Him, and showing His grace and truth to those around us, there’s no telling what He might do far beyond us, both in place and time.

Is it silly to think about such things? I don’t think so. We should each aspire to leave a legacy of grace and truth behind us, an ever-expanding force field of Kingdom focus and fruit that begins in our homes, pervades our own Personal Mission Fields, and makes an impact far beyond us for many years to come.

Oh, but you will say, I don’t dare to think so boldly or ask so much!

And that’s just the problem, isn’t it (Eph. 3.20)?

Dare to think and hope as much. Take the small “talents” God has given you – and they’re all small in relation to the infinite treasury of the Lord – and put them to work for the Kingdom of God. Seek God for His exceeding-abundant-beyond strength and vision.

Then walk in the direction of the new horizons toward which He points you ever day.

Psalm 90.1, 2, 16, 17 (Landas: “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”)
Lord, You have been our dwelling place from generations gone.
Before the mountains came to be, before the earth was born.
Before the worlds and long before men on the earth first trod,
From everlasting long ago, O God, You are our God!

Now let Your work to us appear; our children show Your might.
And let Your favor rest on us; show mercy in Your sight.
The work that You have given us, confirm, and to us show,
That we Your chosen path may walk and in Your precepts go.

Am I willing to obey You, Lord, when You call me to follow You? To fish for men? To speak the truth in love? To love my neighbor? Am I willing?