Small Stuff

I heard someone say once that he had two principles that governed his life. Number one was, "Don't sweat the small stuff." The second one was, "It's all small stuff." 

That's a pretty good way to live. I'm not sure how much you stress over little things, but it's never worth it. Except that how we handle the small things in life pretty much determines how successful we are with the big stuff. In fact, in the big picture it really is all small stuff.

I was thinking about that last week when I was on vacation. My bride and I were making our daily stroll down the beach, taking it all in, and all of a sudden I had a sharp pain on the bottom of my foot. At first I thought I had stepped on a piece of glass, but when I finally got to the ground and looked, there was a bee that had stung me. I have been stung by many bees in my life, but that one packed a punch in its stinger like none I had ever encountered.

Now, there was in that same area, right off the beach, a small lake that was apparently inhabited by crocodiles. In fact, there was a sign that warned us to stay away, lest we become crocodile food, which really served as more of "Wet Paint" sign-like invitation to get closer to see if you could see any crocodiles. I did go closer and I didn't see any crocodiles, but the irony of the whole experience was, the biggest enemy I had on the beach that day was not a croc but a bee.

Until a few years ago, there was an enormous pine tree that grew in the mountains of Colorado. It was only half grown when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A close study revealed that it had been struck by lightning 14 times and survived centuries of Colorado's bad winters. Fires didn't kill it, nor did rumbling earthquakes. Many came to believe the old tree was indestructible.

Then it happened. It was done in by a bug--a little pine beetle that was so small you could crush it between your thumb and finger. A tiny insect proved more powerful and destructive than "earth, wind and fire."

One of the reasons small things are so important is because they lead to big things. That principle applies in so many areas, be it relationally, emotionally, professionally, financially....and spiritually. Life is basically made up of a series of small things--"it's all small stuff"--that, combined together, make much bigger things. How you handle the small bites and stings of life will determine how you handle the big stuff.

The truth is, if you want to do great things in your life, you have to start with the small opportunities the Lord gives you each day, and do them in a great way. That may be simply sharing the gospel with a neighbor or co-worker, spending a few extra quality minutes playing catch with your son in the yard, offering a word of encouragement to a friend in need, or helping out in our food distribution ministry on the first Saturday of each month. Whatever the opportunities, however big or small, do what you can with what you have where you are.

Jesus said it this way: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10) I hope you'll be trustworthy with the "very little" things God gives you to do this week, and that He'll bless you "muchly."

I'm praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

--Pastor Ken