Ripple Effects of a Humble Life - Encouragement for Today - April 22, 2026

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April 22, 2026

Ripple Effects of a Humble Life
HEATHER MACFADYEN

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“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah‬ 6‬:8‬ (ESV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Most of our lives are not particularly spectacular or notable.

Yet if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked at some point: Am I missing God’s calling for my life? What is my purpose?

I asked those questions often during a season of mothering young children. My days felt full of mundane, repetitive tasks — laundry, meals, messes — while it seemed like the important work was happening somewhere outside my four walls. I feared I was missing out on something bigger.

One day, I asked God to replace that fear with truth. And the thought that came to my mind stopped me in my tracks:

If you are in the middle of God’s will, then you are never missing out.

But what exactly is God’s will? It’s a question believers have debated for centuries, but I found comfort in the simplicity of Micah 6:8:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

This verse describes a way of living. And for me, the phrase that lingered was the last one: “to walk humbly with your God.”

The word “humble” took on new meaning when I heard a pastor explain its ancient Hebrew context. He shared how rabbis often taught that living humbly meant fully occupying your God-given space.

That idea changed everything.

Rather than chasing one big purpose, I began to see my life as a series of God-given spaces — assignments God asks me to step into for a time. These spaces are varied, often overlapping, and transient: motherhood, friendship, writing, serving, encouraging, and more. Walking humbly with God means showing up fully where He has placed me, faithfully doing my part and trusting Him to do His part.

Most of the time, I may never see the ripple effects of that obedience. This past summer, though, I caught a glimpse.

On a trip to El Salvador, I watched as a friend of mine, Shelby, saw her quiet, behind-the-scenes work as a Proverbs 31 Ministries editor travel farther than she imagined. A devotion she edited landed in the inbox of a pastor’s wife named Wendy. With tears in her eyes, Wendy shared how God used those words to encourage a woman in her community at just the right moment.

Wendy has also faithfully filled the physical space God has entrusted to her. On their church property, she’s helped create programs and resources for families, including a Compassion Child Development Center that has served children for years — meeting needs, offering hope, and pointing young hearts toward Christ.

One of those children is now a young adult who works at the center. And across the world, my friend Lori has faithfully occupied her God-given space by supporting this Compassion student with prayer, encouragement, and generosity.

Do you see the quiet beauty of it?

Shelby filled her space as an editor. Wendy filled hers as a pastor’s wife and servant in her community. Lori filled hers through consistent care and commitment to a Compassion child. None of them set out to create a global impact. They simply walked humbly with God, right where they were.

And God handled the rest.

Lord, thank You for the reminder that a good life isn’t built by striving for significance but by faithful obedience in the spaces You’ve given us today. We never miss out when we walk humbly with You. Each of us is exactly where You know our faithfulness matters most, even if we never see how far it reaches. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we’re honored to partner with Compassion International. Compassion exists to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name — through the generosity of sponsors like you and me.

When you sponsor a child, you ensure access to quality education, medical checkups, healthy food, clean water, and most importantly the good news of Jesus — all delivered through a church in their community. Compassion is changing the lives of children. And that changes the lives of sponsors too.

Let’s do this together — the Proverbs 31 Ministries community changing the lives of children. Just click here to sponsor a child. When you become a sponsor, Compassion will send you a copy of our Keep Holding On: 30 Promises From God You Can Cling to Right Now study guide as our thanks to you for investing in the life of a child.

ENGAGE

Today’s devotion writer, Heather MacFadyen, wrote more about how to identify and occupy your God-given space in her book Right Where You Belong.

Heather would love to stay connected through Instagram — join her there  @dontmomalone.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Hebrews 10:35-36, “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised” (NLT).

Ephesians 5:15-17, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is” (NIV).

What space has God given you to occupy? Ask God what it would look like to fill that space today.

What small step of obedience can you take and trust the results to Him? Share with us in the comments!

© 2026 by Heather MacFadyen. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org