Small Things

To some of the people in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel's effort to rebuild the temple seemed pathetic. It wasn't something sophisticated people would brag about at a cocktail party, or put down on their résumés in order to impress. Such folks "despised the day of small things."

To large-project, worldly people, much of God's work seems back-burner. To pray with a sick friend, to teach a Sunday school class, to go to your kid's soccer game—small stuff. Humbly serving others in Christ's name doesn't pay off in worldly fame or status. People who sneer at this kind of service miss the beauty of the "small things."

Much of God's work today is subtle, gradual, and, by media standards, small market. God fires up low-burning hearts, urges his will on the spiritual hard-of-hearing, and restores souls with little acts of love from a neighbor or a child. Yes, huge ministries preach the gospel and ship medicine and rice to refugees. But in addition to all the headline projects, God still works through small things—like putting a song in the heart for sins beaten back, or giving soul-strength to move forward, one small step at a time.

Prayer: Speak softly today, Lord. I want to hear the Spirit's quiet voice.

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