All of God’s great people in the Bible were faithful in the small things. In Matthew 25, Jesus told the parable of the talents. In it He referred to the one servant who had taken his master’s money and multiplied it.
In verse 23 his master said to the man, “…Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of they lord.”
In Zechariah 4:10, the Lord asks the prophet, “For who hath despised the day of small things?” There is a powerful principle in taking small steps.
Seize The Opportunity!
Many people are not moving with God today simply because they were not willing to take the small steps he placed before them. If you have received a call into any particular area, you should leap at the opportunity—no matter how small—to move in the direction in which the Lord has called you.
If you are called to be a youth pastor, and are sitting at home waiting for an invitation from some large church, you should know that it will never come. You need to find the first young person you can, put your arm around him, and begin to minister to him.
Don’t be afraid to take small steps. The Bible promises us that if we are faithful in small matters, one day we will be rulers over many larger things.
The impossible, many times, is just simply untried.
Do Something
I can remember a time in my life when I was literally frozen with fear at what God had called me to do. It seemed so huge a task that I was unable to bring myself to face it. A friend came to me and spoke two words that broke that paralysis in my life. He said simply, “Do something!”
If you are at a point of paralysis in your life because of what God wants you to do, the word for you today is “Do something!” Don’t worry about the goal; just take steps that take you past the starting point and soon you’ll get to a point of no return. As you climb higher, you’ll be able to see much farther.
We should all learn to grow wherever we’re planted.
As you begin, don’t be afraid. Eric Hoffer said: “Fear of becoming a ‘has-been’ keeps some people from becoming anything.” Every great idea is impossible from where you are starting today. But little goals add up, and they add up rapidly.
Most people don’t succeed because they are too afraid even to try. They don’t begin because of that old fear of failure.
Many times the final goal seems so unreachable that it keeps us from even making an effort. But, once you’ve made your decision and have started, you are more than half-way there. God will begin with you today—no matter what your circumstances.
Just think how thankful you would be if you lost everything you have right now and then got it all back again. Wouldn’t you be ready to go? Choose to think eternally, but act daily.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.
