What Does It Mean to Be Faithful in the Little Things?
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We live in a world of more. How many followers can I get? How much money can I earn? How many friends can I make? In the fast paced, “Bigger is better” mentality, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and perpetually discouraged that what we do or who we are is never enough. God tells us to be faithful in the little things. The ways of the Lord teach us that we can be free in knowing that even the smaller, mundane moments can matter greatly in the kingdom of God.
In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” there is a main character named George Bailey. He desires to go off, do big things and see the world. However, at the unexpected loss of his father, George makes a decision to stay in his hometown. He helps save the town by this selfless choice and in the long run learns of his great impact on many lives. When we neglect where we are, we ignore the possibilities of what God could do there. When we are open to see our Lord move, He can use us to bless the communities where we live, no matter how small. We might want the world like George, but our faithfulness in the little things can change the world.
As we are faithful in the smaller things, God may entrust with us more responsibilities and opportunities. It is important to know that in the event the Lord should bust open the doors to a larger impact, that He is always first. He is the one who deserves all the glory. If He should choose us to run that organization, lead that Bible study, make that sports team, or become a parent, we must be careful and watch ourselves lest we become prideful.
Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” We have nothing to offer the Lord. Only through the Holy Spirit can we make decisions that are like Christ. This is the greatest news that in all my insufficiencies, Jesus is more than enough.
Do you know that you matter? Do you know that your daily decisions make an impact over time? My husband and I both made decisions as believers when we were younger to save ourselves for marriage. We valued the Scriptures on the blessing and purposes of waiting to be physically joined after our commitment under God. Those daily choices that we made before each other and with each other created a long-term reward for us.
In the same way, our faithfulness in choosing God’s ways and denying our sinful nature will produce blessing. However, Luke 6:10 warns that if we choose sin (unrighteousness) in the small moments, we will choose them in the larger ones too. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
With all of this, remember that the Lord loves you and wants the best for your life. When little moments come, we can be faithful to Him and then prepare ourselves to be faithful in the bigger opportunities. Never neglect the mundane decisions that we can make to honor the Lord. He sees everything. He knows our hearts. He can be honored in an interaction with one person or in front of a stadium of people. Jesus Himself is called “Faithful and True” in Revelation 19:11. May we model His perfect example of being obedient to the Father in all things, each day.
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