Small Things

I believe it was Mother Teresa who observed that "there are many people who can do great things for God, but few people who will do small things for Him."

A woman I work with told me the other day that she trusted me more than any of our other co-workers. Mind you, I have been with the company for 6 weeks, and some of the others have been there for many years. It's taken only six weeks for her to decide that I am a trustworthy person who is kind and who would not take advantage of her. And why is that? Why is she able to see this fruit of the Spirit in my character? Because I don't cuss at work. Because I show up on time. Because I took out the trash for her once. Because I say "please" and "thank you." For real - it's the stupid, insignificant, and mundane things.

She doesn't know me nearly well enough to know that I have a prayer life, that I have studied the Bible or fasted before, that I have spiritual gifts, or that I have spent time serving orphans in Mexico. She has no idea the "big things" I do for the kingdom. All she sees are the little things. And they're enough to convince her that I am trustworthy.

I spent zero time and effort "cultivating" the things that were noticed by this woman (or perhaps it's more accurate to say that the cultivating happened many years ago and i have long since forgotten about it!). I did not have to work up a desire for any of it. I simply did what now comes naturally to me.

So, as we are caught up in trying to pursue the Lord, and striving to be passionate and radical, let's not forget that more often than not it's the little things that impact people deeply. And, what's more, I'm beginning to embrace the fact that it's the little things that capture the Father's heart as well. The things that most "impress" the Father about our daily lives are the things that we have long-since forgotten about.

With all our focus on "pressing in" and "contending for breakthrough," it's funny to see things like not cussing or emptying a trash can bring fruit and impact in the lives of others. The Power from heaven comes not only in the things for which I faithfully strive, but also in the little things that don't even enter into my thinking.