Steve Biggerstaff, the COO of Back to the Bible Canada, just sent me a note. Back to the Bible Canada will be on the air in Jamaica starting this month. That is the third country to be recently added. In the spring, we went on air in the African nation of Liberia and on air in the UK in October. And now, Jamaica. All this is in addition to our ministry in the Dutch Caribbean, and our ministry partnerships in India and Sri Lanka. Our program is also heard in several other Near Eastern Nations. The list of countries where people listen online is much larger. In 2022, in the spring, we went on air in the African nation, Back to the Bible Canada was heard online in 130 countries!
All of that has gotten me thinking about the ways of God in my own life. I have never sought to have a large footprint to my own ministry nor sphere of influence. I still don’t. One of my favourite songs is “Little Is Much When God Is in It” by Gaither Vocal Band. The second verse is as follows: “Does the place you’re called to labor…seem so small and little known? It is great if God is in it, for He’ll not forsake His own.” With that comes the chorus. “Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame. There’s a crown, and you can win it, if you go in Jesus’ name.”
When I graduated from Seminary (sometime during the last ice age), I wanted nothing more than to pastor a small church, being as faithful to Christ as I could be. I determined to master the text of scripture as well as I was able, to love God’s people, and to seek after the lost. That was the goal I had. It’s still the only goal I have. In time, I would become the pastor of the largest church in my province. And then, when that was done, Ben Lowell, CEO of Back to the Bible Canada called and asked if I would be interested in preaching the Bible on Radio.
At that time, the footprint of Back to the Bible Canada was relatively small. It would also be fair to say the ministry was struggling. But I made a commitment before God. Even if no one listened, I would prepare my Bible messages with all the energy and skill that the Lord provided. For I determined not to do this for people, but to do it to the glory of God. Often I prayed, “Lord, may my meditation on this day be pleasing before the throne.” I was convinced very few listened.
In time, the footprint of Back to the Bible Canada would grow. Indeed, along with partners, it continues to grow, reaching into more and more countries. Please pray for this important ministry.
But my mind is repeatedly taken back to that simple song. “Little Is Much When God Is in It.” There is, at the same time, an opposite truth. It comes from Psalm 127:1 (ESV). “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” I would rephrase that in my own words: Much Is Nothing if God Is Not in It. Indeed, if I carry on with a spirit of pride or a false spirit of self-importance, I prove myself to be an enemy of God. In that case, the largest ministry on Earth would be a matter of no importance at all. In Jeremiah 45:5, God asks the prophet, “And do you seek great things for yourself?…” (ESV). And then, before Jeremiah can answer, God adds, “Seek them not.” The desire for a large footprint can be inspired by love for self, not love for God.
And so, our footprint has been expanding. I am overjoyed. Not because of the size of the matter, but because, by all indications, God is glorified in it. And people around the world are hearing the saving news of Jesus. And they are responding. This is much. Indeed, it is very much. That’s because God is in it.
