There is a statue of Jesus at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. He stands on the sea floor with outstretched arms. It is a beautiful sight. It was placed there in honor of all those who have been lost at sea. Most people will never actually see this work of art. The artist who created it knew that few would see it and made it anyway.
I knew of this statue, and one Sunday the Lord brought it to mind. I felt Him say, “I am in the unseen.” The day-to-day acts of faithfulness. The things that rarely get applause. The things that can sometimes seem insignificant. You see, laying down your life for another rarely looks like grand gestures. Most often, it is countless, faithful acts that add up to a lifetime. Laying down your life looks like diapers changed, meals shared, time given, a hand held, dishes washed, forgiveness offered. These simple acts of love are holy work, a fragrant offering.
John 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
As I have been considering these things this week, I happened to read about Lois and Eunice. Are you familiar with them? I was not. It is easy to overlook their brief mention in a single verse of the Bible, but if we take the time to consider them, we will be encouraged. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes:
2 Timothy 1:5 I call to remembrance, the genuine faith that is in you [Timothy] which was first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I know, now lives in you also.
A mother and grandmother who lived a life of genuine faith. I am sure they never imagined we would be reading about their faith all these years later. We do not know much about these women except that they passed their faith on to Timothy, but my guess is their life looked a lot like day-to-day faithfulness. Prayers prayed, needs met, tears dried, encouragement given, seeds planted. Living a life that points to Jesus has a generational impact. No spotlights required, just quiet acts of genuine faithfulness. Jesus is in the unseen places. May we faithfully point to Him until we hear, “Well done.”
Mathew 25:23 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.’
–Naomi Bryson
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