Small things have a way of growing into big things.
As I concluded one season of ministry and entered a new season, I realized I had a bigger impact than what I ever knew. There were moments in that old season I wondered, what am I doing? Are we making any impact? I have learned sometimes we are so close we cannot see the growth. I also learned again the power of stories.
There is much I have learned about life, God, ministry and myself from raising my kids. Much of parenting I am learning is the small steps and choices in the moment. The thing is, my kids continue to grow. My boys seem to eat like they have an endless pit inside of them some days. Sometimes it is like I look up and realized you have grown. They were growing the whole time, I was just too close to fully see or understand it. The same can happen in the ministries and when we are investing in others.
I have learned from my recent ministry experience that it really is the small choices and small things that have a way of growing into big things. I do not feel we did anything special in our time in Ottawa and we made our mistakes. We tried to follow Jesus and do the small stuff, be faithful to who he created us to be. We took risks and learned and saw the kingdom grow and be strengthened.
During the last few weeks, a number of people shared with us the impact we had on their life. Please, I am not sharing this to say look at me. I share this to say you never know the power of small steps over time. There is power in small faithful moments that lead to grand things. Perhaps not success as the world defines it, but lives are different, the kingdom has grown. For that, I can only say, praise Jesus.
The gospel has this way of starting small like a mustard seed that over time grows large enough for birds to nest. We cannot underestimate the daily grind and faithfulness of seed scattering and planting and watering.
Do not give up on the good works you are doing. Do not give up on the faithful small steps. Do not give up on the seeds being planted every week and not knowing what is happening. God is at work. God is with you. Keep your eyes on Christ the author and perfecter of our faith.
Small things have a way of growing into big things.
Perhaps God has placed an idea, a burden, for someone or group of people. Break it down into small steps and start taking one step at a time. Embrace every moment and look for Jesus there. Let him shape you and form you. Take a risk and small steps. Over time, small things have a way of growing into big things.
“31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”” Matthew13:31-32