Just about anybody who’s ever done an organized bike ride knows the term “SAG Stops.” Those are the places along the planned event routes where riders can stop for a snack and/or potty break, then get going again. Hence, the name “Stop-And-Go,” or SAG for short.
One other thing that anybody knows who’s ever taken advantage of the service offered at a SAG stop is that SAG people are almost always cheerful, as well as largely anonymous to most of the riders who pop in and out. Oh sure, riders are usually courteous and thankful in return, but few of us riders ever take the time to ask the SAG helpers their names or find out anything else about them.
So, does that discourage those volunteers or deter them from helping in the future? Not usually, because typically they’re motivated more by a desire to see the ride go well than they are by a desire to be recognized.
I thank God for all those dedicated “SAG Saints” and for others who work with such commitment behind the scenes to make an organized ride go smoothly, little caring whether they get any recognition, because without them the ride simply wouldn’t be possible.
Jesus had quite a team of S.A.G. Saints, too. Of course, we’re all familiar with his twelve disciples. But, unfortunately, they sometimes got caught up in working more for the applause than purely for the cause. And more than once, Jesus called them out about that. (Mark 9:33-35)
Thankfully, we get a very different picture in Luke 8:1-3.
The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
What about you? Are you willing to be one of those unnamed and unsung “many others”—Jesus’ S.A.G. Saints—working behind the scenes to advance His cause, whether or not your get any recognition? If so, rest assured that Jesus himself notices.
“. . . whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’(Matthew 10:42)
And isn’t that enough?
Prayer: Jesus, you know that sometimes we crave recognition, and it feels good to get applause every now and then. But help us to remember that didn’t come as a superstar to be applauded; you came as a servant to be followed. So, may we follow willingly and joyfully, and may all of our efforts point people to you. Amen
P.S. For a song that captures the heart of this devotional, check out Casting Crowns’ “Only Jesus” at this link:
Dave Marty is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Mary, in Brownsburg, Indiana. They have two beautiful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two creative teenage grandchildren. In addition to cycling (including unicycling), Dave also enjoys gardening, Scrabble, hosting Holy Land tours with Mary, and tutoring kindergarteners at a nearby school