The Little Things

We are told, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.” Yet small things have the power to influence the direction of the day. Lost keys can put the whole household in an uproar. A leak under the sink can lead to a big mess. A dandelion in a child’s hands can be a treasured gift. A short text can bring heartache or bring a smile. The little things matter.

The Power Of Little Things

God repeatedly used insignificant people, places, and things to accomplish His great purposes. But scripture warns us to beware of small things that can have dire consequences.

The Bible calls the tongue deadly and many have felt this awful truth. Words are such little things but they can wound or heal. How many reputations have been destroyed by rumors? How many children have been forever scarred by the harsh words of a parent?

Little things can have a cumulative effect. Most of us have felt overwhelmed by an avalanche of little things we’ve let pile up until we feel like we’re being crushed. If we become paralyzed to inaction by the small things, they can cause serious damage in the long run. Little things have an incredible impact.

Little things have the potential to grow and mature. In the natural world, a seed becomes a tree, an egg becomes a chicken, and an embryo becomes a human being. Jesus took advantage of this phenomenon. One of His parables was that of a mustard seed that starts out as the smallest of seeds but grows to become a great tree (Matthew 13:31).

God delights in giving us opportunities to grow our faith. Small things require our trust and His power. Despite appearances, we must believe that He is working in the small things so they will grow into big things, God uses inconsequential things to illuminate His ability to work in miraculous ways in spite of us. These small things remind us that self-sufficiency is not a virtue. God wants to receive the glory when we see the way He has moved through the little things. “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” -1 Corinthians 1:27. He is the God who gets glory in the little things.

While God can use little things for our good and His glory. Scripture also warns of the many dangerous circumstances that start with something tiny. A haircut had some serious repercussions for Samson. A lustful glance led to David’s downfall. An act of disobedience and distrust by Eve brought sin into God’s creation. The whole world still bears the consequences of what seemed to be just one bite of fruit. A seemingly insignificant thing can destroy our faith, damage our reputation, or ruin our relationship with God.

Little things reveal the nature of our true selves. Jesus said, “He who is faithful in a very little us faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” -Luke 16:10. Faithful attention to obedience in the little things opens the door to further kingdom responsibilities and leads to our own peace.

Little things can reveal our attitude towards others. It’s easy to in our own sin by bringing attention to the fault of others. Sometimes we do so with great eagerness. Jesus asked the question, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” – Matthew 7:3. A not-picking attitude can reveal a huge spiritual problem.

A steady drip of water will eventually wear away the hardest stone, and the most solid believer can slowly be eroded by little things.

Our life is like a jar of little things. Maybe it’s filled with treasured moments, good habits, love, obedience, and trust or perhaps it’s filled with ugly little words, sharp attitudes, and tiny hurts that need healing. Maybe we could spill out our jars and let Jesus take a look once in a while We could trust that He would be gentle and kind. He will faithfully take the time to help us deal with each one.

There’s an old gospel song that calls us to surrender all the little things that we hold deep within ourselves:

“Give them all, give them all. Give them all to Jesus Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys Give them all to Jesus And He will turn your sorrow into joy.”