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“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”   Colossians 3:23-24   NLT

 Working for the Lord looks different for each of us. Sometimes our calling shifts over the course of our Christian Walk—one season may look very different from the next. I deeply admire those with big, visible roles in the Kingdom—pastors, missionaries, and leaders whose impact seems obvious. By comparison, my own roles over the years have felt much smaller: musician, ministry support, and now, writer. At times, I’ve wondered if the place God assigned me is too insignificant to make much difference. If you’ve ever felt that way, I’d like to share something with you.

My grandson serves as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, overseeing the sonar crew on one of our largest nuclear submarines. When he was a young sailor just learning the ropes, he called me, full of excitement, to explain the complexities of sonar work. His job was to distinguish the underwater signatures of watercraft and even “biologicals” like whales. He needed to learn which nations had which kinds of ships, how their engines sounded, and the subtle differences in propulsion systems. Then, with a laugh, he told me that some navies even count jet skis among their vessels—as though such a tiny craft could pose no threat against America’s fleet.

I reminded him that a jet ski could go where an aircraft carrier never could. A small, swift vessel can slip into tight places unnoticed, deliver its payload, and create a surprising impact before anyone realizes it’s there.

That conversation stayed with me.

Fast forward to today. In retirement, I write books and articles with one goal: to honor God and point people to Him. My work has never reached bestseller lists, and sometimes I question whether my efforts are big enough to matter.

Then, just the other day, I heard a recorded message from Dr. Falwell say, “You don’t have the right to be mediocre.” The words hit me in that sensitive spot. Was I mediocre?

But almost immediately, the Lord brought back that old conversation with my grandson. I realized: I am the lone sailor on the jet ski. My writing may not be large-scale or headline-making, but God can use it to reach into small, hidden places—hearts and minds that might never otherwise be touched. If even one person encounters Christ through my words, then I’ve fulfilled the work He gave me. The results are His, not mine to measure.

So take heart if your service feels unseen or small. God is not counting headlines or numbers. He calls us to faithfulness. Whether your work looks like an aircraft carrier or a lone jet ski, if you are doing what He has asked of you, you are making an eternal impact in His vineyard.

“Father, thank you for giving us the privilege of working for You. Help us to keep our hearts faithful, to wait upon You for strength to help us finish the race, and to resist the temptation to judge our work only by what we can see.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life