If you have any doubt that what you're doing with your life is of little consequence - that you're just spinning your wheels, that no one's paying attention - then please consider John the Baptist.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that John was Jesus' cousin - and that they knew each other even before they were born - the story says John 'jumped in the womb' of his mother, Elizabeth, upon meeting the pregnant Mary.
Then, when Jesus comes of age - it's John who states, quite clearly, that he is the one to announce his appearance, saying in Matthew: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry"
Then it's John who's going to baptize Jesus in the River Jordan - and when Jesus comes up out of the water, John was right there to hear the voice from heaven, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"
Then the bottom falls out.
Fast forward a few years - John's now in prison for accusing King Herod of adultery. And discouragement, disillusionment, and doubt have crept in. So much so, that John no longer believes. He sends his disciples to Jesus to ask! And Jesus gives an indirect answer, and the next thing we know, Herod has John executed.
So John's epic life - as a relative of Jesus - as a prophet who announce his call - as the priest at Jesus' baptism - becomes forgotten at the end - as John takes his sadness and apprehension to the executioner's block.
But just because John didn't feel used by God - does not mean he wasn't.
When people name churches after famous disciples, what name, do you suspect, is used most often? Yeah, John.
His faithfulness, his perseverance, his humility, his devotion have earned him a place in Christian history like no other!
And guess what?
John died without ever knowing that.
Being faithful to God - to your values - to your convictions - to your conscience - to your heart - doesn't always come with an immediate reward!
Don't think that just because you don't feel used, you aren't.
You have no idea how many people have met you, talked with you, seen from afar, and have found their lives positively affected.
Writer Mark Nepo says "The wave is not the sea."
This means that whatever doubt and discouragement you're going through - put it into perspective - it's a wave, not the sea!
When John looks back at the long arc of his life there's little doubt that he did a lot of good for a lot of people - that God used him in mighty ways - and that's probably the same for you and me.
Don't mistake the wave for the sea.
