The Small Things

The Small Things

Author: Kay Davis
August 17, 2023

So, a recent post on fb from a fellow “Creeker” gave me the idea for this article. The subject was shopping carts...do we or do we not return them to their stall after using them. I am “one of those” that does return mine every.time. Ha!

I'll tell you why I personally do. It's the little things...the small things, as Zechariah 4:10 states, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.” It may seem quite a stretch to compare a returned shopping cart to a high priest of Judah building a temple for the Lord...and maybe it is. BUT this is where my admittedly weird mind went, so here we go.

In verse 10 it states that the LORD (all caps, which is my understanding of referring to our COVENANT KEEPING God) says; "do not despise the small beginnings, because the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerybbabel's hand." What does that even mean??? To me, it means return the shopping cart, do the daily dreaded mundane actions that can easily be dismissed, overlooked, never seen by another living soul, even scoffed at. Why?

Because even in those things, God is pleased. Why? Because He sees obedience. Obedience reflects more than we think. It reflects trust, it reflects honor, it reflects love and respect to the One who gave us life and asks our obedience to Him. It reflects relationship. I believe this pleases the Father because of all of these things, but also because in the end...which is our main goal as a child of God, it brings Him GLORY.

The plumb line. The proof that God is who He says He is, that He has a purpose, that He works ALL things for good for those who love God, for those who are called to His purpose. He will accomplish His will, and He asks us to join Him. 

Why? I think to draw all men to Him, to be a witness of who He is. A loving God, who, not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit, as stated in verse 6 of Zechariah 4. He accomplishes great things, impossible things through those He loves as His children. Blows my mind. It starts with the small things, the shopping cart, the act of kindness to a stranger, the act of even getting out of bed in the morning...just because the Sun came out and it's “the thing to do.”

Why? Well, I've been there on the last one. You know what I came up with? Because if I get myself out of bed simply because the Sun came up, I am acknowledging that since it DID come up, God's promises are still being enacted, that He is still in control, that He still has a purpose for my (our) lives...now THAT”S a reason to get up in
the morning! 

It's also the reason to return that shopping cart. There are acts of obedience that are not seen by anyone, then there are acts of obedience that are seen by others. Either way, is returning a shopping cart an act of obedience? I believe it is, in this way. Besides being a good example for our littles who may be watching, it reflects character. It says I am putting others before myself. Our kids see that, those around us see that, and when they don't God DOES see that and He is pleased. Pleased in the small things. Because our character as a Christian, reflects God's character to those around us. His glory, our good. Do the little things, the small things and don't despise doing them!

Why? Because God. God sees you, He has a purpose for you, He loves you and He is pleased with you! And He wants ALL men to come to Him and experience that same relationship with Him! Amen!

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