This past weekend was my first year to observe and be involved at the General Conference of Elders. The GCE is a gathering of the elders and ministers of the United Church of God to focus and improve on the Church’s mission to preach the gospel and prepare a people.

 While attending the seminars and workshops, I was absolutely amazed at the humble and zealous spirit of God’s servants in the ministry who were there. One message I listened to in particular, given by Mr. John Miller, spoke about and exemplified the spirit of servant leadership.

The title of his workshop was, “It’s All About the Small Things.” The small things in life are the steps we take, no matter how insignificant they may seem, to show our love and respect for God, and our neighbors as ourselves. They are acts of service and works that build towards the greater good.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (NLT).

Partway through his message, Mr. Miller said to the audience, “My wife is not here today. We’ve had a widow living in our home for the past two years . . . She is 90. And she fell down the stairs today and broke her hip.” With his heart in his throat he said, “Her surgery is in an hour and my wife is taking her to to the hospital. Who is doing a greater work?” After an open pause he replied, “not me”.

He said, “Great people do small things and make a big difference. Small people covet great things and in the end it makes no difference.”

Jesus Christ is coming back and we have a great work to do. We are the servants of the Almighty God. Now is the time to transform our lives by the power of God and His word. Now is the time to start doing and serving. That is the beauty of the small things.