This one's really easy to fall into. Maybe you've fallen into it before. You start off enthusiastic about some great kingdom idea, or you get hyped up for evangelism, or you start a charity idea. Then, quickly, you get overwhelmed with the huge amount of work you need to do. There are so many people who've never heard of Jesus. There are so many hungry people. There's so much work. Mother Teresa said: 'Never worry about numbers. Start with one person at a time and always start with the person nearest to you.' Her reasoning is simple: we can't do all the work, because there's only one of us. And in fact, when we try to do all the work, sometimes it can be a subtle form of people-pleasing – wanting to be 'successful' rather than wanting to be faithful to God. Paul wrote, ‘I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.’ The real goal is set by God. The first way of doing it is to bless whoever's closest to us. This isn't to say that God can't do 'immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine' through you (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). He's well able. All we're saying is start small and go with the people God gives you, each moment. Let God reground your busy work in relationship.

What now?

Sit down, lay aside all your efforts at achievement, and brush off the frustration or fear that you'll not get enough done. Ask God to show you two things: His love in relationship. And someone, nearby, who you can bless.