As a young adult I learned a valuable lesson about saving. I was taught that if I put aside a little bit of every dollar that I earned, then eventually I would have enough money to buy something big. This concept has served me well over the years when I wanted to take a vacation or needed to buy a car or replace a household appliance. But the concept of taking many small pieces and accumulating something of significant worth has more than just financial applications. For example, if we spend a little bit of time each day praying and reading the Bible, over the course of a lifetime, we will have learned much about the Bible and develop a strong prayer life. If we exercise some each day, our bodies will function better and longer. If we show love to our families in little ways, our families will be able to endure the difficulties that life throws at them.
The concept of little things being done consistently over time and producing big effects used to be well understood in our society. But we have now become a society that wants instant gratification. The younger generation wants success and they want it now. Seldom are they willing to take time to invest in all the little steps that are required to build a good life.
One of the tasks of the church in our current era is to help young people rediscover this vital concept. We can help young people rediscover this concept if we talk about it more and if we show examples of how it has worked in our own lives. Teaching these concepts does not require big budgets, or fancy programs or the completion of formal educational programs. All it takes is one person caring enough to invest himself or herself in a younger person. It seems like Paul had something to say about that in his letters to young Timothy.
Spend some time this week thinking about some ways in which little things you did in your own life produced some big results and then ask God to show you creative ways to share that experience with the young people in your sphere of influence.
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ReplyDeleteThank you Terry. so much food for thought. A pleasure to look at, and a joy to digest. The challenge of the last paragraph should motivate us to share as we try to lead. Again thank you . You made my day.
ReplyDeleteI think you are very on-point, perhaps because you practice what you preach. Proverbs 30:24-28 says something about the accumlative power and wisdom of little things...
ReplyDelete"Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; coneys (rock badger) are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces."
Thank you Terry!
ReplyDeleteAmen! I have found what you said to be true. Thanks for the reminder to persevere and not despise the small things. I am reminded of a friend that always said, "A blizzard starts one snowflake at a time." I am also reminded of what our Savior said in Matthew 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your style!
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ReplyDeleteLooking for practical ways to put some of the principles in this blog post into action? Purchase my book, Developing Leadership Teams in the Bivocational Church. The first part of the book explains why bivocational ministry is biblical, normal and missional. The second part of the book explains how to mobilize the laity to do high level ministry in a team setting with the pastor so that the church can be effective in reaching its community for Christ.
ReplyDeleteThe book is published by Crossbooks and you can buy the book directly from them at:
http://www.crossbooks.com/BookStore/BookStoreBookDetails.aspx?bookid=58188
The book is also available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com and a many other online bookstores.
If you live in Central Vermont, you can purchase a copy at the Faith Community Church in Barre, VT.