In the Small
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much..." Luke 16:10
Elachistos: least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.) - least, very little (small), smallest.
We have a God of relationship who wants to partner with us in every aspect of our lives. Truly no area is of too little importance and no opportunity is too insignificant. In fact, this verse says He is looking precisely for those small gestures that show we are being faithful to Him in a new way.
You see, our God is good, and He wants to give us good things as a good Father.
"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17
While all the good things we receive are from Him, I believe there is always more He is eagerly waiting to give us. He is hoping we will show ourselves faithful in something small so that he can shower us ABUNDANTLY. He wants to do this for us, and He provides the help we need to achieve this. We simply need to notice the opportunities all around us.
Lately, He has been teaching me how to be more faithful with my time and thoughts. There is literally nothing too small for Him to notice my faithfulness in, for He is continually attentive and loving towards me. He has been showing me how He is simply pleased when I expect good things from Him. When I stop worrying, He is pleased by my trust in Him. If I give Him my time during the commute to work, He is so happy to show Himself to me in new ways. As I choose to reject the thoughts of this world and the enemy, He guides me in thinking more like Heaven. My small, seemingly inconsequential choice provides Daddy with just the opportunity He has been desiring. This realization erases my obsessive need to perform and achieve perfection. Instead, He simply desires for me to be faithful with the small He has set before me in this moment, and He even helps me do it. He is gracious when I fail, and He reminds me that He loves me no matter what I do. He picks me up out of the pit and gives me the confidence to move forward as His daughter.
We have a loving God that wants to shower us with all we need and more. He patiently guides us through the process as we learn how to honor Him with the small beginnings. Suddenly, we look back and see how far He has propelled us since that small choice to focus on Him.
Daddy, let us not despise the small beginnings or opportunities. Help us see Your loving patience as You train us to walk more like You. Let Your endless love well up inside of us and guide our actions. We are expectant for the good things ahead, and we need Your help being faithful in the small.