God Does Big Things with Small Deeds
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10 NLT).
Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane.
On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded.
Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated, the note read: “This is all we can do for you now.”
A courageous assembly-line worker was disarming bombs and scribbled the note. He couldn’t end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn’t do everything, but he could do something. So he did it.
God does big things with small deeds.
Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow’s coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us. And in contrast with sophisticated priests and powerful Roman rulers, a cross-suspended carpenter seemed nothing but a waste of life. Few Jewish leaders mourned his death. Only a handful of friends buried his body. The people turned their attention back to the temple. Why not?
What power does a buried rabbi have? We know the answer. Mustard-seed and leaven-lump power. Power to tear away death rags and push away death rocks. Power to change history. In the hands of God, small seeds grow into sheltering trees. Tiny leaven expands into nourishing loaves.
Small deeds can change the world. Sow the mustard seed. Bury the leaven lump. Make the call. Write the check. Organize the committee.
Moses had a staff.
David had a sling.
Samson had a jawbone.
Rahab had a string.
Mary had some ointment.
Aaron had a rod.
Dorcas had a needle.
All were used by God.
What do you have?
God inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed. He cures the common life by giving no common life, by offering no common gifts. Don’t discount the smallness of your deeds.
by Max Lucado
This reminds me of “great oaks from little acorns grow”.
Too often, we decline to donate money to charities, thinking that we don’t have enough to make a difference. In truth, each dollar works just as hard as the next and is equally important. Each one of my ten dollars works just as hard as each of a wealthy man’s thousand dollars. Many small contributions add up to wonderful accomplishments.
Thank you for this devotional. As I’ve shared before I have a chronic illness that tends to make my physical world quite small. BUT this devotional has reminded me that as I mentor thru the inter-net with my small tool, the gift of encouragement, thru my God given talent of writing that God CAN do Big Things.
HE has brought a young fellow across my path, the same age as my son. I have been praying for a ‘gal pal’ but HE brought a hurting soul, a mere babe in Christ. LOL and praising HIM. I can be faithful to share the power and love of God w/him.
I thank you for reminding me of the Power of Small things in the HANDS of Almighty God.
IF each of us is faithful to do that which HE calls us; then nothing will be left undone for HIS honour & glory.
Father may we all hear Your voice clearly and be quick to act as You call.