Preachers look for the “big churches” and desire to speak on the “in lectureships”, while individuals look for those big events in life that will make a difference. But, it is the small every day activities that make us the preach-er or Christian we ought to be. Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Lk. 16:10). Solomon said it in a different way when he wrote, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes” (Song of Solomon 2:15). James writes about the importance of the tongue by using the illustration of a ship, “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whither-soever the governor listeth” (Jam. 3:4). Notice these words… “He that is faithful in that which is least”, “The little foxes, and “Turned with a very small helm”.
These words least, little and small should tell us something. One writer wrote, “Sometime notice in your Bible the many little things that were of great significance: the little gift of the widow, the water pots in which Jesus performed His first miracle, Shamgar’s ox goad, Moses’ rod, etc.” Notice the importance of the small things. It may be just a word of encouragement. A person may be discouraged, or despondent, and just a kind uplift-ing word will be of great benefit.
If you are going to succeed, it will be by doing the small things. Remember, “little drops of water and little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.” It may seem small but when you have something to do at the church building or in the worship and you can’t do it, wouldn’t just a small thing such as a phone call be appreciated? Several years ago we were going to be away for a couple of weeks, so I ask one of the young men of the congregation if he would cut my grass (he would be paid). He agreed. When we returned our yard was immaculate, trimmed, weeds pulled from the flowers, and edged. All he would have had to do was cut the grass, but he did those little extra things. I understand he has been very successful in life. Do you wonder why?
Just show up. You may not be a song leader, a preacher, or the one who leads in prayer or serves the communion but just being there is important. Tom Peters wrote a business book several years ago entitled, The Pursuit of Wow, in which he emphasized just showing up.
Here is a good quote, “Someone has said, ‘Be nice to your paperboy; you may try to borrow some money from his bank some day.’ Someone else has said, ‘Be kind to the boy who plays in your yard. You may be on trial in his court some day.’ The safest thing to do is be nice to the little man, do well each little task, preach your best to the little crowds, prepare well for the little jobs, and you will certainly corral the big ones. Remember, the little often becomes the big and the big is often the little. Who is able to judge the difference?”
Larry