Does your to-do list for tomorrow include such items as:
- Send birthday, get-well, or encouragement cards?
- Attend a meeting or rehearsal at church?
- Prepare for teaching a Bible study or Sunday School lesson?
- Pick up your husband’s prescription?
- Prepare for dinner guests?
Our days are often filled with small deeds. We tend to think they’re insignificant and therefore, so are we.
But that negative evaluation is not from God!
“Who despises the day of small things?” he spoke to Zechariah (4:10).
In fact, evidence indicates that God loves to take small, seemingly insignificant actions, and use them in creative, powerful ways:
- A piece of wood thrown into bitter water turned it sweet (Exodus 15:25).
- A cord hung from a window saved a family from destruction (Joshua 2:17-21).
- An army of 300 defeated a powerful enemy, just by blowing trumpets and breaking clay jars to expose torchlight (Judges 7).
- A dab of mud applied to a man’s blind eyes restored his sight (John 9).
- Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons became healing agents as they were laid upon the sick ((Acts 19:12).
It doesn’t matter that we’re not famous, wealthy, intellectual, or strong, because it is “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,'” says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).
Might = strength, resources, and ability. If that describes you, wonderful! But those blessings alone will not guarantee significance.
Power = persistence, resolve, and consistency. Again, if you are able to power through with effort and efficiency to accomplish much, terrific! But what’s truly important is if the effort is achieving God’s purpose.
Granted, God has given us talents and gifts, opportunities and choices. We must be prayerful and wise in the ways we use them.
John Wesley advised:
(“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”)
Just remember: apart from the Lord Almighty, we accomplish nothing worthwhile (John 15:5).
On the other hand, little is much–IF God is in it.
He rejoices in what is right, you see, not necessarily in what is big.
So, when you feel like a nobody who’s accomplishing nothing, be mindful of this:
Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem small and little known?
It is great if God is in it
And He’ll not forget His own.
–Kitty Suffield
(Art & photo credits: www.whattoexpect.com; http://www.auyouth.com; http://www.kokabella.com.)
From the Inside Out 
So true, Nancy. What a great word for us mommies in the trenches of life. No matter how insignificant our individual tasks for the day may seem, they are of utmost importance when done for Him. Thank you!
Oh, yes. The Mommy Years do indeed challenge our sense of significance. The mounds of laundry, dishes, and toys tend to hide it! But you are so right: Dealing with the daily routine of family care IS of utmost importance when done for Christ (Col 3:23-24). May God give you a glimpse today of the eternal value of your calling as mother of your children.
Oh, Nancy, this is speaking so very loudly to my heart today. Recently, at my cleaning job, God spoke this same truth to my heart. I was listening to authors being interviewed on a Christian radio station. I threw my rag on the floor and told the Lord about His obvious mistake of giving me “just” a cleaning job. I felt His voice speak across my heart, “If you can’t do this, you can’t do my work!” You know the so called noble and the mundane are so very closely related, and often are the one and the same.
We are in the middle of an adoption process of three siblings. Please pray for us as we learn this lesson in a very tangible way. Blessing to you for your obedient writings. They are a treasure!
Praise God that this post reached you at such an appropriate time, Heidi. Love your observation about the noble and the mundane being very closely related. So true!
I have been praying for the wisdom and courage you requested in a previous comment. Now I know why! What a precious, priceless gift you are giving these children! God bless YOU with great peace and joy as you expand your family!
This posting reminded of David and Goliath (as well as that childhood hymn)! Only a boy with a sling and a stone brought down the mighty Giant! ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’(Zechariah 4:6), certainly was illustrated here! By rendering our small deeds as insignificant is to put limitations upon the Lord. To paraphrase you…”If God is in our deeds, even the smallest act is MUCH!” Loved this post!
What perfect scriptures to coincide with the theme of this post! And I’m nodding my head in agreement to your statement about limiting God when we render our small deeds as insignificant. Thank you, Cheri, for your insightful input!