my god is small…sometimes
My God is small (sometimes). I am more than willing to admit that with the ministries I have served alongside and with the areas God has called me to, I haven’t seen the numerical growth I thought would accumulate. Discouragement is my typical first response and my mindset is disappointment.
I’ve tried to find solace in the importance of not giving up and continuing to fight through the hard times but it’s not easy. Distractions are everywhere and many times, I’ve seen God use others and he has allowed both personal and numerical growth.
So, I sit and wonder why this is the case sometimes. It is during these times of frustration and disappointment that God seems to be looking out for others and not paying attention to me at all. At the end of the day, I feel, more often than not, like I performed a failed experiment of some kind.
When God appears to be small, what I’ve learned and I am continuing to learn is to embrace this truth, God is small sometimes. Sometimes God asks us to do small things, only to grow them later on. Sometimes God calls us to small works and keeps them small for his own purpose.
When God lays a desire upon my heart, it is almost automatic for me to begin thinking of what great work it will become. I always have a perfect picture of what I think it should be and even though I have toiled through the work, it seems like I have nothing to show for what I have done.
Wherever we are, our call is to reflect Christ in what we say and what we do.
Small beginnings are meant to prepare us to be thankful. Zechariah 4:10 says, ““Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” God himself rejoices in the beginning of the work because he knows what the end result is. It is his small beginning and he has his own purpose behind it. Rejoice in what God has called you to, always.
Small beginnings are meant to prepare us to be faithful. Galatians 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” God isn’t searching for us to understand all the details of his calling but rather, he seeks after our hearts to be surrendered to him. He calls us and our response should always be to abide in Christ.
Small beginnings are meant to prepare us to be confident. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” When we serve the Lord, our service flows from the victory he has already secured for us through his death and resurrection. Our confidence is the finished work of Christ. Our confidence and faithful service is a response to what God has done in Christ.
Small beginnings are meant to prepare us to be humble. Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” Knowing that God loves us is the reason we are to live for him. His love for us is what is to compel us to live our lives for him and love others.
I am reminded that God is big enough to create the world and speak life into every person and yet God is small enough to pay attention to me, and to know me and to love me, just the way I need him to. So, I am reminded and thankful today that the God I serve is small sometimes.
