With our Kindergarteners, I find that they love to volunteer. If Lorraine or I say, “I need four volunteers,” immediately 12 or more hands shoot into the air. Pick me! Adults are not always so eager. We grown-ups might wait to see the details of the need before we volunteer. Not true for six-year-olds. They are hungry to help no matter what.

Perhaps it is because I have spent much of my professional life behind-the-scenes, but there’s something special when nameless or forgotten people advance the narrative of the Bible. Or life for that matter. When it happens, it’s usually for good.

Sometimes in the Bible, we do know the name but in the narrative, truth surprises the people who live it. When Samuel was looking for the next king, he didn’t say he wanted David. He came to Jesse’s house and was presented with everyone but the handsome youngest one who was out in the field with the sheep and his harp—the family forgot him until all others were tried. Even then Samuel had to prompt them. Everyone, even David, was oblivious to a different and better future.

Psalm writers other than David or Asaph. The woman with the flow of blood. The woman with the alabaster flask. The thief who died next to Jesus. The soldier who pierced Jesus’ side. The centurion who confessed. No names recorded, yet their writing or actions make it into the Bible for us to read about all these years later.

“Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. . . .” Mark 14:13b

Think about the man carrying that jar of water. He was probably the only one. I wonder. Plenty of women doing that menial but necessary job. Only one man, at least on that day. So they followed him. As in this case, the man leads them to where Jesus and the disciples will hold their Passover meal and where Jesus will wash the feet of the disciples and institute the Last Supper that we replay in our churches with varying frequencies.

Can you think of something you’ve done for another person or group where you don’t get recognized? You do it anonymously, in secret, or it’s behind-the-scenes so no one will know, or if they do, the task is so menial they’ll forget.

God sees those kind of things. Everyone else does not see or value them.

Not all the children who raise their hands get picked to help out. There are more hands raised than helpers needed. But God’s use of people has no such restrictions. When we raise our hands willingly to the Lord, he always has something we can do. We are only limited by our own preoccupations, habits, pride or willingness.

If we are willing, Jesus can use us in his story. Let’s put jars of water on our heads and see where he takes us.