The Little Things

The other day, I was surfing through my Twitter timeline. Someone asked a question, “what can your lover do to impress you?” Reading through the comments, many replied with the need for their lovers to provide them with expensive gifts, outings and vacations. However, one lady’s comment caught my attention. She said, “the little things”. 

On another day, I was discussing with my Father how church leaders should relate to church members. He said a lot of things and ended with, “it’s the little things that make the difference for the members”. 

The ‘Littles’

These got me thinking. Is it true that the little things make great differences? I think they do. It takes a small piece of paper called a cheque or a small rectangular card called an ATM card to withdraw huge sums of money (you already know what money can do). It takes a small key to start huge engines or grant entrance into big houses. It also takes the steering wheel to make significant turns in motion. To mention but a few. With these as premise, I have concluded that the little things in most circumstances make huge differences. 

Is it also true that in our walk with God, the little things could matter? Your guess is as good as mine.

There are numerous examples scattered in the Bible of how God used little things, ordinary situations, and common people to make significant changes in our personal lives, and in the history of mankind. For the purpose of this article, I will touch on a few of them. 

The Still Small Voice

In 1 Kings 19:11ff, the Lord told Elijah to go and stand before the Lord and wait for Him to speak to him. When he went, spectacular things happened that could suggest the presence of God. There was a great and strong wind that broke mountain rocks into pieces, an earthquake, and a fire. There were these three elements, but the Bible said God was in none of them. Even though they suggested God’s presence, none of them had God’s presence. Where could God be? He was in a still small voice. A still small voice, as insignificant as it may seem was where the presence of the magnificent God was. That was the means He decided to speak to Elijah through. This means the fact that something is spectacular doesn’t necessarily mean it is spiritual.

The most spectacular means God speaks to you or directs you is through the usually overlooked means – the still small voice. The inner witness within you that makes you feel the Lord’s direction concerning a matter may be the only way He may speak to you. It is called discernment – you are able to know or judge between what is the Lord’s and what isn’t. 

Romans 8:16 says,The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. It never said we see visions or prophetic words to know we are children of God. It uses the phrase, “bears witness”. That is your intuition; that is your spirit confirming what God is saying concerning the issue. Most of the directions God will give you will be through the still small voice – the intuitions of your heart. 

The Rod

Moses was in the wilderness tending his sheep when God called him on a mission to deliver His people from Egypt in Exodus 3 and 4. Moses perhaps had a lot of doubts so he asked questions. After the Lord had answered all his questions, he still asked, “...But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say... ” – Exodus 4:1. This time, the Lord did not answer; He rather asked him a question, “What is that in your hand?” He said (Moses), “A rod” – Exodus 4:2.

This rod, the Lord turned into a tool for wonders. To me, it was a symbol of the Lord’s authority and Moses’ leadership. This small rod (a little thing) swallowed snakes, parted the red sea, and broke rocks. This little thing significantly changed the lives of Moses and the Israelites. 

It is the little things that please God. You can give huge sums of money and do great things for God but he says one little things matter, "...to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" – 1 Samuel 15:22b. Obeying His Word and His leadership in your life, precepts upon precepts, a little here, a little there is what will lead you to greatness. 

The popular saying that little droplets of water make a mighty ocean is true. If you want to achieve greatness in anything, it is the little things you do that matter; little habits, little sacrifices and little daily commitments.  

What do you want to do, and what do you have? Take advantage of these two little things – the Lord’s directions (the still small voice) and what you have available to you. Take baby steps towards your vision and it will surprise you what the Lord will do with your life.

May the Lord mend our nets!