Have you ever heard of astronaut Mike Collins? How about Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin? Those names you probably recognize as they were the first 2 people to walk on the moon of the only 12 people that did.
But who was Mike Collins? Michael Collins was an American astronaut who flew the Apollo 11 command module Columbia around the Moon in 1969 while his crewmates, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, made the first crewed landing on the surface.
On returning home, Collins learned he’d been cast as the “loneliest man in history.” This is because when behind the moon he was totally alone with no communication with anyone else. He orbited the moon 14 times. During this he lost total communication with everyone, every time for approximately 47 minutes. History was being made while the world watched and listened. Collins though lost all communications just before his crewmates took their first steps on the moon. He spent 27 hours alone in the space module.
His role was crucial as his crew would not have been able to return to Earth without him. This mission would not have been possible without Collins. Collins would later say that he never felt abandoned, but felt very much part of what was happening on the lunar surface.
We have a kingdom mission. We are to advance the kingdom. We are to win the lost and make disciples. The question is are we willing to not be recognized? Are we willing to give to foreign missions and never step foot on the foreign missions field, to never even be acknowledged that we gave. Are we willing to show up early and turn the lights on at church or stay late to turn them off. Are we willing to take out the trash, clean the toilet, pick up trash, do repairs and never get recognized?
In Acts chapter 6 a problem arose about the distribution of food. This was brought to the 12 disciples and They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” (Acts 6: 2-4 NLT).
They didn’t need to leave their responsibilities to tend to this. So people were appointed for this. You may know 2 of their names off the top of your head, but not all of them. Why, because the task seemed unimportant to us. But it helped further the Gospel. How many people worked in the churches that the epistles were written to, that nobody knows their name?
Are we willing to let others get all the recognition so the mission can be successful? Are we willing to be Mike Collins and go down in history forgotten? If we are, we can have the results they did in Acts 6.
Acts 6:7 KJV And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied…
Know this though, nothing that you do for the kingdom will be forgotten by God. Your giving may be done in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:4 ISV).” And God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints (Hebrews 6:10 NET).
So do whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might… (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NET) not looking for recognition but to advance the mission.
Colossians 3:23-24 KJV 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.