So many times we hear about those who are concerned with the “Big Issues”, such as poverty, war, global warming, recession, education, and the list goes on. But can you really make a change in the big issues? I think that the answer is unfortunately “no”. These things are too large for the individual to tackle. It’s like a person standing at the base of a mountain and putting up his hand to stop an avalanche. The result is obvious.
But does that mean we cannot solve or impact the larger issues?
Absolutely, we can. We just have to set our sights on the proper targets.
The large is comprised of the little. These small targets are still hard to hit, because our fleshly nature often stands in the way. But I challenge you this day, and from this day forward, to focus on the small things and do them in a Godly and holy fashion.
Help your neighbor. Give a kind word. Buy some groceries for the struggling single mother. Work 10% harder. Think well before you spend. Open the door for a lady or elder. Open the door for a man. Smile. Tell your children you love them. Give special honor to someone, especially your spouse and to those in authority.
If you continually do these things, the habit will reinforce itself over time and you will do it out of your nature rather than through your conscious desire. Once it becomes part of your inner being, it will spill over to all things that you do. Even the big things are affected. And that, my friends is a very encouraging thought.
As an avalanche starts start with a single rolling rock or snowflake, so will you impact the world on a large scale by being honorable and holy in your actions.
(Please don’t confuse holy with being perfect. In this context it implies being dedicated and devoted to the service of God.)
Our thoughts become our actions, our actions become our habits, our habits become our character, and our character determines our destiny. As the Word says, “You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. Luke 6:43-45 (The Message)”
Let us begin right now to change the world by changing ourselves. Pay attention to those small instances in life and keep them focused on goodness and righteousness. If we do that, you’ll see a miracle take place in the larger things around you. Capture the little foxes that spoil the vines, and we in turn will save our vineyard which is our world.
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15 (King James Version)
Can you imagine the results if we got rid of those little foxes and we all did a thousand things even one degree better? We indeed have the God-given power and the authority to make a tremendous difference.
What will you do now?