Small Beginnings

January is a time that represents change. A new year, a new day, a new page, the time to make resolutions for various areas of our lives. It’s a time of beginning and starting anew.

Most of us do really well at first. But, then February rolls around and we’ve been to the gym twice, are still eating fattening foods, and are snoozing our alarms every morning. We found that getting started was the easy part – it was the maintenance part that was so hard.

Why?

Because although beginnings are hard, they’re also exciting. It’s different and promises wonderful changes in life. But, once the excitement wears off, all you’re left with is what’s difficult. We then allow the difficulty to discourage us because we aren’t seeing instant results with it.

I run into this issue regularly all year long. I have these massive goals and dreams that I’m super excited about. I’m pumped and would jump straight into them no matter the cost. It’s all I can think about and I plan for hours. But, as the excitement wears off and reality sets in, I’m much less eager to put the time in. I become frustrated and impatient. I’m not getting instant results so I become convinced that I’ve failed.

But, the reality is, all great things take time. All things worth doing are challenging and often a long process.

Zechariah 4:10 says, “For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice…”

I am miserably impatient. I want big results now. It’s not because I hate to work hard or am afraid of a challenge. It’s because I’m so excited for what could be and I want to see it come to fruition now. I am someone who “despises the day of small things,” or “of small beginnings.”

Except, in scripture, that’s exactly as the Lord does things. He doesn’t rush the process, He takes His time.

“When God wanted to set the plan of salvation in motion, He started with a little baby named Isaac. When He wanted to overthrow Egypt and set His people free, He used a baby’s tears. He used a shepherd boy and a sling to defeat a giant and a little lads lunch to feed a multitude…” (Constables Commentary)

When He wanted to save mankind from hell, He sent a baby that grew into a divine man who would defeat death on a cross.

God loves small beginnings.

So while it feels slow and as if results will never come, the Lord is working. He’s using it all to bring you and I closer to Himself. He’s using it in His grand story of redemption.

Be patient.

Have hope.

These small beginnings are guided by a big God.