Quick – who was the winner of the:

–       2010 Nobel Peace Prize?

–       2009 Miss America pageant?

         –       2008 summer Olympics archery gold medal?

Now identify:

–       the high school teacher who motivated you to be your best?

–       the Sunday school teacher who told you about Jesus?

–       the first person to take a chance and give you a job?

 If you’re like me, you found it easier to answer the second group of questions. Why? Perhaps it has something to do with relationships. You see, it’s not the celebrities in the spotlight who change our lives; it’s the people who labor in the background. The ones who aren’t looking for attention, they just do what they’ve been called to do.

Our Bible study class finished yesterday. During the year, up to 180 women from 50 different churches came together each week to study the Bible. Some people call it my class. It’s not my class. It’s our class.

The women agreed to lead discussion groups, teach the children, and in serve in administration. They offered to play the piano or greet attendees. They volunteered in the children’s classrooms and watched the leaders’ children. They monitored sound equipment and stepped forward to be our treasurers. They hosted fellowships and took attendance. And of course, they attended each class.

The class thrived because these women weren’t seeking the spotlight. But they were interested in developing relationships – relationships with the Lord and with each other. Yesterday, they shared what those relationships meant to them: the power of women praying for each other, encouraging each other, and holding each other accountable. Most of all, they shared the blessing of pointing each other to the love of God and the salvation He offers through faith in Christ. They encouraged each other with the assurance of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and the transformation His Word brings to each of us.

Their names weren’t printed or announced. Their reward may not come in this life, but it will come in the next…where it counts.

Think about the people who labor in the background to bless your life.
Thank one of them today!