Celebrating the Small Things

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

(Zechariah 4:10, NLT)

One of the practices I am learning is to celebrate the seemingly small things in life - such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (by coming to the church office for cookies today), finishing a painting job yesterday, and being able to have a hot dog roast with friends. Too often we treat these as insignificant everyday things that are no big deal, but, when we take pleasure and choose to be thankful within what seems small, we not only feel good but are more apt to see God at work.

Zechariah was serving God’s people as they returned home from exile. They really wanted life to be as it was before exile, but it was far from it. They were encouraged to rebuild the temple and to walk closely with the Lord. It would take a long-term perspective and a whole series of small steps to rebuild their life. The Lord is in the steps of progress, not just in the finished product.

As we come out of COVID, we also want things to return to how they were, and yet God is forming new opportunities and relationships through the season we are now in. While we appreciate the good parts of our past experience, we are working hard to see ahead to the steps God is leading us through in determining our upcoming ways, programs, and opportunities.

Let us see God in the small things. Let us follow God in the small steps of life.