It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…
When governor Zerubbabel was faced with the task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, he faced many obstacles. Fifty years had passed since the Babylonian invasion left Jerusalem desolate and Solomon’s Temple (also known as the First Temple) burned to the ground. It became obvious this second temple would never have the grandeur of the first. Even after the foundation was laid, some old timers wept thinking of the comparison (Ezra 3:12).
Yet, amidst this small beginning, God told the people not to be discouraged for the second temple would be completed through Zerubbabel. He also asked a rhetorical question that contains a life lesson for all of us. “For who hath despised the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10 KJV). The people could only see what was in front of them, not what God would do with it.
I admit that I suffer from this kind of tunnel vision. In a world that measures significance by size, it’s easy to think small things have little value. Yet little things mean a lot to God. Things like…
- Giving someone a cold drink of water (Matthew 10:42)
- Feeding the hungry (Matthew 25:43-45)
- Visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:43-45)
- Helping the fatherless and the widows (James 1:27)
- A widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44)
- Sharing what little you have (John 6:9-13)
- Little children (Matthew 18:1-5)
- Little flocks (Luke 12:32)
The parables are full of analogies made with small things: one talent, sowing seeds, a lost coin, one lost sheep, a grain of mustard seed, and a little leaven. The list could go on and on.
What about people? David, a mere shepherd boy, used a slingshot to kill Goliath. A small boy helped feed a multitude with three fishes and five loaves of bread. Jesus was born in a stable in some obscure town, yet offers salvation to the world.
In fact, Jesus’s life was spent doing small things for others. We could call them acts of kindness. He comforted the sick. He befriended the sinner. He hung out with the fishermen. He paid attention to little children. He washed the disciples’ feet. He told us if we wanted to be great we should do the same thing—learn to serve others (Mark 10:42-45).
God does not measure significance by size. There can be power in small things. A little match can cause a big fire. A tiny acorn can produce a giant oak tree. Little drops of water can fill an ocean. Tiny grains of sand can make a beach. I’m thankful that God can take any little thing I do and multiply it for His glory.
*****
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)
