In God's Hands, Small Things Have Huge Potential!

(Zechariah 4)

Faith the size of a tiny mustard seed can move mountains!

“If you think you are too small to make a difference,
try sleeping with a mosquito.”
—African Proverb

Each one of us begins small. From the President to the billionaire to Olympian, we all enter this world as a tiny, helpless infant. Though we start small, in God’s hands small things have huge potential!

After languishing for seventy years in Babylonian captivity, the once mighty nation of Israel had greatly diminished. God opened the door for the first wave of Israelites to return home through a miraculous decree by King Cyrus. This small contingent began the arduous process of rebuilding Jerusalem. Twenty years later, a second wave returned. These pilgrims were tasked with reconstructing the Temple of the Lord under the leadership of Zerubbabel, governor of Judah. The once magnificent temple had been raided, burned, and left a ruin by the Babylonians. With few resources and little manpower, taking on this massive renovation felt overwhelming and impossible.

Into this dismal atmosphere, God speaks a powerful word through his prophet:

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
“What are you, mighty mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple;
his hands will also complete it.

Who dares despise the day of small things?”
(portions of Zechariah 4:6-10)

Who dares despise the day of small things? We do, actually. Our culture loves BIG. We equate big with success. We strive to build big careers, big bank accounts, and big platforms that wield big influence. Even in the church, we revel in big—congregations and events and offerings! We are often quick to dismiss small as insignificant.

Lest we forget, the Son of God himself arrived small. Jesus Christ was born a helpless infant in a small town to poor parents. He labored as an obscure carpenter until age thirty. After launching his ministry, Jesus never traveled outside of Israel. Fast-forward two thousand years and Christianity is the world’s largest religion.[1] Jesus Christ is still known, still loved, and still transforming lives every day. Who dares despise the day of small things?

Most things begin small. Sometimes they grow. The first week I published my Real Life blog, twenty-five people read it. Recently—not by might or power, but by his Spirit—this little blog surpassed one million views. All praise and glory to God! However, some things remain small. I work for a little non-profit ministry.[2] Small, however, does not necessarily mean insignificant. Just ask our neighbors who have received help and hope and the love of Christ through our ministry. Who dares despise the day of small things?

The truth is when God is in it, nothing is small. He transforms our little efforts into something beautiful and strong and impactful. It's not by might nor by power, but by his Spirit! Despite their discouraging start, and though it felt impossible, the Israelites rebuilt the second Temple and dedicated it in 516 BC. Who dares despise the day of small things?

Feeling small and insignificant today? Don’t despise the day of small things. For in God’s hands, small things have huge potential!

Dear Father God,
Some days we feel so small and insignificant.
We question whether who we are and what we do
Makes any difference at all.
Thank you for this reminder.
In our own strength, we can do nothing.
But by the power of your Spirit, nothing is impossible.
So, increase our faith.
And transform our small efforts into something beautiful and strong and impactful.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.

Image of Infant by Canva
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/
[2] Love INC of Cuyahoga County (https://www.loveinccuyahoga.org)