Small and Significant
A devotional by Glynis Becker
"Then another message came to me from the Lord: “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)" –Zechariah 4:8-10 (NLT)
Do you have days when you feel like what you do isn’t very important? That you don’t bring enough to the table to really make a difference? That in the larger scope of history it won’t matter at all if you were here because you won’t make a significant enough contribution?
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be addressing the United Nations anytime soon. Or writing a book that changes the lives of millions of people. Or curing cancer. Or bringing about world peace.
My calling is smaller. My stage is not as big. My impact may make only a small ripple in the pond. But that does not mean it isn’t important.
God has always and will continue to do His work through ordinary, seemingly-insignificant, weak people like you and me. He is already at work everywhere: in your home, in your neighborhood, your city, your country, and the world. You can be part of it, wherever you are.
I can’t feed all the hungry people in the world, but I can donate food to the homeless shelter or bake cookies for the missions fundraiser. I can’t cure cancer, but I can visit someone in the hospital or give someone a ride to a doctor’s appointment. I can’t bring about world peace, but I can extend a hand of friendship and bridge a gap to someone who might look like my “enemy.”
These are small acts we can do as Mother Teresa said “with great love.” With the right attitude and the leading of the Holy Spirit, these become the foundation of the kingdom of heaven here on earth.
Don’t misunderstand this, though. God doesn’t love you more when you do these things. We should want to do things that bring about change simply because we love Jesus and want to share Him with others. These acts of love will expand our understanding of who He is and extend the kingdom to the world. They are not to be seen as a way of gaining favor from God.
In the Scripture above, Zerubbabel has been tasked with beginning construction on the Lord’s temple. The verse sees into the future when it claims that he will see the construction finished. We may not see the fruits of our labor while we are alive.
That promise isn’t necessarily for us. But what I love about the verse is that God is pleased to see him obey and start the work to which he has been tasked. It is a humble beginning, but there is nothing wrong with that. God has always known how to work miracles through humble beginnings.
So what can we do today to spread the word, share the love, or show some kindness? Don’t ever feel that you are insignificant. Your small step may be first in a miraculous journey.
Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, I know you love me. I know you will work through me and bring your kingdom if I let you. Please show me those small acts of kindness that you have for me to do today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
~*~
Author Bio:
She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.
Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.
When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be addressing the United Nations anytime soon. Or writing a book that changes the lives of millions of people. Or curing cancer. Or bringing about world peace.
My calling is smaller. My stage is not as big. My impact may make only a small ripple in the pond. But that does not mean it isn’t important.
God has always and will continue to do His work through ordinary, seemingly-insignificant, weak people like you and me. He is already at work everywhere: in your home, in your neighborhood, your city, your country, and the world. You can be part of it, wherever you are.
I can’t feed all the hungry people in the world, but I can donate food to the homeless shelter or bake cookies for the missions fundraiser. I can’t cure cancer, but I can visit someone in the hospital or give someone a ride to a doctor’s appointment. I can’t bring about world peace, but I can extend a hand of friendship and bridge a gap to someone who might look like my “enemy.”
These are small acts we can do as Mother Teresa said “with great love.” With the right attitude and the leading of the Holy Spirit, these become the foundation of the kingdom of heaven here on earth.
Don’t misunderstand this, though. God doesn’t love you more when you do these things. We should want to do things that bring about change simply because we love Jesus and want to share Him with others. These acts of love will expand our understanding of who He is and extend the kingdom to the world. They are not to be seen as a way of gaining favor from God.
In the Scripture above, Zerubbabel has been tasked with beginning construction on the Lord’s temple. The verse sees into the future when it claims that he will see the construction finished. We may not see the fruits of our labor while we are alive.
That promise isn’t necessarily for us. But what I love about the verse is that God is pleased to see him obey and start the work to which he has been tasked. It is a humble beginning, but there is nothing wrong with that. God has always known how to work miracles through humble beginnings.
So what can we do today to spread the word, share the love, or show some kindness? Don’t ever feel that you are insignificant. Your small step may be first in a miraculous journey.
Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, I know you love me. I know you will work through me and bring your kingdom if I let you. Please show me those small acts of kindness that you have for me to do today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
~*~
Author Bio:
Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.
She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.
Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.
When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.
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