Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and Elijah are names that would show up on any “who’s who” list of important biblical characters. Whole books and sermon series are devoted to these men, and many more I’m sure will be written and preached in the days to come.
But what about the people who don’t make the most important biblical character lists? Men like Sallu the son of Meshullam, Adaish of the son of Jeroham, or Mica son of Zida, or the countless numbers of ordinary men and women throughout church history? Are they important to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan?
I can tell you with confidence that Nehemiah’s answer to the above question is a resounding “Yes!” Throughout the book of Nehemiah, we are introduced to lists of faithful men and women who served as assistants and associates, deputies and doormen in the house of God. They are, if you will, the “no names” in the Kingdom of God. (Except for the fact that Nehemiah takes the time to name them!)
Reflecting on this point, A.R. Vidler wishes we knew more, “…about the ordinary life of Christian people in parishes and congregations which has gone on steadily from generation to generation and without which there would be no church history worth mentioning.” The reality is that the names and lives of such men and women may never be recounted on earth or anthologized in a tome of Christian history, but their story is always remembered—remembered for heaven (Hebrews 4:12)
The stories of millions of ordinary faithful Christians who act in ordinary faithfulness are remembered before the throne of God. Because whether ushers in worship, nursery workers, prayer warriors, Sun. School teachers, evangelizers, caretakers of widows and orphans – all of it is critical to the health and growth of the church. We must know and embrace what Francis Schaeffer taught; “There are no little people in the Kingdom of God.”
So, don’t over-think it. God is building His kingdom, and he is using the ordinary faithfulness of ordinary people every day to do it. Believe the gospel, obey God, and make an eternal difference. There really are no little people in the Kingdom of God, and that includes you.