What comes to mind when you think of a superstar?  Someone with extraordinary talents and abilities who brings home millions of dollars a year?  Someone who is famous and can pack a stadium or concert hall?  If you’re like me, you’ve probably got a slew of names in mind.

What about being a superstar in the kingdom of God?  What would that look like?  If you created a list of these folks, who would be on that list?

One of the best examples I can think of when I think of a “superstar for Jesus”, right at the top of my own list, is someone most of you have never heard of.  She is not a well-known Christian author or a musician who writes songs that pierce to the heart.  If you were to meet her, you would think she was just an ordinary person, because in many ways, she is.  But she is also far from ordinary because God’s power and grace are seen through her life in countless ways.

This lady is my pastor’s wife.  She faithfully serves her husband and cares attentively for their four young children. On top of doing both those jobs with excellence, she somehow finds time to care for folks in the church, provide meals for her neighbors, and pray for needs.  The joy of the Lord is seen through her life on a daily basis, in spite of numerous interruptions to her day and, I’m sure, many nights of sleep deprivation.  She is always ready to lend an attentive ear, to give an observation of areas where change is needed, to show an evidence of God’s grace at work, and to share encouragement to turn to Jesus for hope and growth.

When I think of Hebrews 13:7, her face comes to mind.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

I want my life to imitate hers because she is an example to me of the humility and service of Jesus.  I want to be a joy-filled servant and friend like this.  I long one day, Lord willing, to be an encouraging wife and mother like she is.  I’ve learned so much about Jesus and His care and patience through her faithful care and patience with me.

Seldom are these “superstars” up front receiving the affirmation. They are the ones behind the scenes, serving faithfully, awaiting the reward to come.  There is much we can learn from their example.  Let us take some time today to thank those whom God has placed in our lives as a living example of Him.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’  Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)

[copyright, 2009, Emily Schankweiler; A Sacrifice of Praise]

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