Some of the most important moments in my faith didn’t happen in a sanctuary or during a sermon. They happened in a small Sunday school classroom tucked away in a basement corner of the old Whitefish Assembly building on Fifth and Baker. The room wasn’t impressive. There were no screens, no flashy visuals, no exciting technology. Just folding chairs, a felt board, and a sweet woman named Nita Niles.
Nita was my Sunday school teacher. She used flannel-graphs — felt cutouts stuck to a fabric board—to tell Bible stories. By today’s standards, it probably wouldn’t feel very engaging. But those stories stuck with me. They laid a foundation for my love of Scripture and my desire to know God more deeply.
And if I’m being honest, I probably wasn’t the easiest kid to teach. I’m sure I was rambunctious, distracted, and not always paying attention. But she showed up anyway. Week after week. Patient. Faithful. Consistent.
At the time, her role probably didn’t seem glamorous. No one applauded her. No one highlighted her serving. But looking back now, I can say with confidence that her faithfulness made a difference in my life. In many ways, it’s part of the reason I’m still serving Jesus today.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:18–20:
“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
God’s Church has always been built this way—not on a few visible roles, but on many faithful people quietly doing what God has empowered them to do. Every role matters, even when it feels small. Especially when it feels unseen.
Sometimes it’s easy to assume that making a difference requires a platform or a title. But often, it’s simple obedience that leaves the deepest mark. Teaching kids. Serving behind the scenes. Showing up consistently. Loving people when no one is watching. Nita didn’t need special training, a bible college degree, or a charismatic presentation style; but what she did mattered.
So here’s the question to reflect on today: Who might God impact through your faithfulness?
You may never fully see the fruit of your serving, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t growing. Every step of obedience in service to others is a seed planted for the future.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 and take time to reflect on how God has uniquely placed you in His Church. Ask Him where He might be inviting you to serve, even in simple ways.
Prayer:
“God, thank You for placing me where You want me. Help me to see the value in faithful obedience, even when it feels small or unseen. Show me how I can serve in a way that points others to You.”
SOAP Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
