small things

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8

I would like to share with you a short devotional written by Oswald Chambers from his book, My Utmost for His Highest.

“In the Matter of Drudgery. You have inherited the Divine nature, says 2 Peter 1:4, now screw your attention down and form habits, give diligence, concentrate. “Add” means all that character means. No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character, he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us. We are not meant to be illuminated versions, but the common stuff of ordinary life exhibiting the marvel of the grace of God. Drudgery is the touchstone of character. The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. “Jesus took a towel...and began to wash the disciples’ feet.”

There are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, but just the daily round, the common task. Routine is God’s way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.”

I love this! Sometimes we can lose our focus in life - we can grow weary and no longer see the horizon and that is when we sink. It is okay to sink for a minute or two, but then we need to come up for air and continue to faithfully do the common tasks of everyday life. For example: Going to work each morning, or going to school and doing homework faithfully, or folding laundry and making a meal for your family... Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Are you weary of doing? Don’t give up! For in due time one of the blessing you will reap is character. Remember, character is not something you are born with, character is made and it is made in those times when you feel like giving up but instead you keep moving forward. Many of the people that God has used in a powerful way have been men and women of high character. Men and women who have been faithful with the common tasks of life, the “little” things that have developed their patience, their perseverance, their understanding, their obedience and has prepared them for the “big” things that God had in store for them! 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..” Luke 16:10

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” Mother Teresa