Jim Powell Online

Another aspect of the little things involves the lesson of “timing.” Namely that God’s timing is not our timing. He often moves us slowly, deliberately, and purposefully to get us where He wants us to be. These delays are meant to test us, prepare us, and mature us so that we are equipped for the bigger things that He may have in store.

• There was a quite a gap in time between David’s anointing as future King of Israel (1 Samuel 16) and his actual ascension to that position (2 Samuel 5).

• Elijah was a prophet and a man of action. Yet, the Lord called him to hang out in a place of isolation for a few years before doing what it was he longed to do (1 Kings 17:1-6).

• At 12 years of age Jesus was able to amaze the spiritual leaders of His day (Luke 2:47). Yet it was another 18 years before He engaged the world in public ministry.

• After encountering the resurrected Lord, and seeing Him ascend into Heaven, the disciples were commanded to “wait” for the “gift of my Father” before going into action (Acts 1:4).

• The Apostle Paul had a dramatic conversation and a crystal clear calling on his life. Yet, immediately after hearing God’s call he spent 3 years in the dessert of Arabia (Galatians 1:17).

Many times before God entrusts us with big thing, He calls us to do little things. These little things take time and often appear to serve no purpose. But it’s in waiting and faithfulness that God is preparing to bless and use us. When we get ahead of ourselves and focus too much on the big things we get in hurry. But God’s time table is different. We need to learn that. We need to believe that. We need to live that.

In was a Saturday afternoon and I needed to prepare for the Sunday School class I was teaching the next day. It was nice outside, and I really didn’t feel like preparing. It was then that an appealing thought ran through my mind… “You know it really doesn’t matter much… this is a small class with only a handful of students… one day I’m going to be a pastor and that’s when it’s really going to count.”

It was then that the Lord spoke to my heart. It was clear, swift, and convicting…. “He who is faithful in the little things will be faithful over much, and he who is unfaithful in the little things will be unfaithful over much” (Luke 16:10).  I immediately began to prepare.

Almost 20 years later I still think about that day. What if I wouldn’t have taken it seriously back then? What if I don’t take it seriously today? Is it possible that being faithful yesterday has enabled God to use me today? Is it possible that being faithful today means that God will use me in even great ways tomorrow? Only the Lord knows, but one thing I am sure of… I need to be just as diligent in the little things as in the big things.

Whatever it is that God wants you to do today IS the most important thing you can do. Instead of making excuses, avoiding, or dreaming about tomorrow, be faithful today.

When Jesus was looking for an analogy to describe the Kingdom of God, He choose a mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32). The smallest of all seeds in that region, it grows into the largest of all garden plants.

In a world that is infatuated with bigger and larger. Where numbers mean everything, and leaders dream of having mega impact. In a world where we expect immediate results and measurable progress. It’s important to remember that Jesus said it all starts with something small.

What if we were focused on being faithful with what we have, and left the size and growth up to God? What if we dreamed big, but were content and diligent to nurture the small things as we trusted and waited on the Lord for results? I’m thinking that God would be pleased, and perhaps we would see even bigger things than we dream are possible.

Jesus said He is the light of the world and in Him there is no darkness. This is a good thing and a comforting thought. Yet, it recently came to me, what kind of light best represents God in my life?

• Summer Sun – scorching, overwhelming, unapproachable
• Florescent – dull, boring, sterile
• Fireplace – warm, romantic, intimate
• Candle – soft, delicate, comforting
• Flashlight – useful, limited, practical
• Lightning – dangerous, intimidating, powerful

I think at different times in our life different analogies may be relevant. Our view of God is shaped by our backgrounds, experiences, teachings, and the present context of our life. Don’t get me wrong, God doesn’t change but our perception of Him may. If our view of Him is skewed we are missing out on who God really is and what He wants to do in our life.

What’s your view of God? What aspect of light would you use to describe Him? Is worth reflecting upon.

Jesus said that we must “lose our life in order to find it” (Luke 9:24). In other words, we must die to self. This is more than a one-time decision, it’s a daily battle (1 Cor 15:31). Not just when we’re scared or empty. Not just when we don’t have anywhere else to turn. Not just when we’re trying to manipulate God. It’s a daily thing. Actually it’s an hourly thing. Actually it’s a minute by minute, second by second thing.

Dying to pride

Dying to fear

Dying to control

Dying to lust

Dying to insecurities

Dying to the past

Dying to the future

Dying to wealth

Dying to the opinions of others

Dying to success

Dying to possessions

Dying to idols

Dying to plans

Dying to dreams

Dying to…

Good

Humble

Respected

Trustworthy

Honorable

Godly

Integrity

This guy? His name is Demetrius. You can read about him in 3 John 1:11-12.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20john%201:11-12&version=NIV

Arrogant

Selfish

Calloused

Unteachable

Gossip

Malicious

Cold

De-motivating

Controlling

This guy? His name is Diotrephes. You can read about him in 3 John 9-10.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20john%201:9-10&version=NIV)

Today I had the privilege of spending over 6 hours with respected church leader Larry Osborne. He was at RCC all day working with our staff and eldership. He was helping us to see what lies ahead and how to deal with the challenges of a growing and soon to be multi-site, multi-venue church.

Tomorrow I am spending the day with a newly formed congregation, helping them to work through a process of determining their mission and calling.

As we travel it’s important to reach out and tap in to the wisdom and experience of those who are ahead of us. Yet, it is equally important to pass on what we have to those who are behind us.

Ahead & Behind. Do you have both covered?