It’s the little things

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Maybe it’s because I’m a pastor and I move in certain pastor circles, but it’s become increasingly clear to me that people love to tackle big things while at the same time tripping over little things.

[Tweet “Often we trip over little things while we try to tackle big things.”]

I present Proverbs 3:5-6 as Exhibit A:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Our tendency is to spend time debating the implications of this verse on man’s responsibility versus God’s sovereignty or free will versus fixed destiny. Shoot, we split churches and start denominations over the big things and yet fail to see that it’s the little things that matter most.

Exhibit B? The very tiny word “all.”

Every big thing we debate hinges on it. A simple 3-letter word that somehow holds the power to make or break us. What we do with that little word determines if we are a disciple or delusional.

What I think about the big ideas we love to debate is pointless if I’m not trusting God with all my heart and acknowledging Him in all my ways. If I’m honest (and my guess is this would be true for you, too), I’ve got to spend a lot more time on the little words than the big ones. I mean, there’s no sense debating pre-, mid-, or post- anything if I’m not trusting Him with everything, right?

[Tweet “There’s no sense debating pre-, mid-, or post- anything if we’re not trusting Him with everything.”]

Like Solomon wrote, it’s the little foxes that ruin the vineyards (see Song of Solomon 2:15). Today, pay attention to the little things first, and you’ll have a stronger foundation for the bigger things that come next.

Facebook Comments

comments

Written by Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins is lead pastor of The Gathering, a community church located in beautiful downtown Albemarle, North Carolina. He's the author of God is My Air Traffic Controller and My Name's Not Lou. Paul is passionate about his wife, his 3 children, running, reading, coaching, leading people who are following Jesus, Swedish Fish and the Carolina Panthers.