Tag Archives: don’t despise these small beginnings

September 4, 2023 · 5:44 AM

Imperfect Conditions

One of the things we know but forget to take into account is that we live in an imperfect world. Yet somehow we still look for the perfect in it. We look for the perfect situation financially so we can give. We look for the perfect schedule to help someone, or even the perfect situation to begin something new. We say, “If I had more money, a better schedule or all my ducks in a row then I would…” Those are excuses to delay while you wait on everything to be perfect. The problem is that perfect never comes and we’re left sitting on the starting line with a lifetime of would’ve, could’ve should’ve. The hardest steps in doing anything is always the first. After that, you have momentum helping you.

In the book of Ezra, the Israelites were in captivity in Persia where they had been for decades. In the first year of the new king’s reign, God put it on his heart to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem that the previous king tore down. God stirred the hearts of many leaders and priests to return. Even though they had the backing of the king, they were afraid of the locals as they rebuilt the altar first. This fear of others and the felling that the timing wasn’t right caused a two year delay before they began to work on the foundation. When they completed the foundation, their enemies showed up, but because they had momentum, they rejected their enemies and started building. Then in Zachariah 4:10 the Lord said, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand” (NLT). God rejoices when we begin doing things for Him, no matter how small a step we take.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything” (GNT). There will never be perfect conditions to do what God has called you to. There will never be enough time, enough money or enough support from others to get started. The enemy uses this “logical” thinking to keep so many Christians standing on the starting line without ever beginning the work God has given them. Don’t take a ready, set, go approach to doing what God has laid on your heart. Instead take a go, set, ready approach. The Lord rejoices to see you begin. Everything that has ever been done for the Lord started with one small step of faith. They didn’t have the perfect conditions either. The difference is they didn’t let fear stop them. They took a step and planted seeds with imperfect conditions. It’s your turn to take that step.

Photo by Ricardo IV Tamayo on Unsplash

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 20, 2023 · 5:35 AM

Small Beginnings

In the early 2000’s, Starbucks was growing at a rapid pace. There were Starbucks popping up everywhere. Sometimes they were right across the street from each other. Their rapid growth became unsustainable and they had to close 20% of the new stores they had opened. As the CEO looked at the list of stores he was going to have to close, he learned a lesson: success isn’t sustainable if it’s defined by how big you become. It’s a lesson I’ve tried to teach many people. I like to say, “You have to start with Timex before you get to Rolex.” We all want to be experts immediately. We want maturity now. We want success before we’ve been through the fire. We also want others to think we’re doing better than we are.

Before David became king, he was on the run from King Saul. He fled to the cave of Adullam and holed up there. 1 Samuel 22:2 says, “Everyone who was suffering hardship, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him” (NLT). David had dreams of leading the nation and the army, but the first group of people he became captain over was a bunch of outcasts. He could have turned them away because they weren’t what he imagined leading, but he didn’t. He trained these 400 men to become warriors. The nation saw what he did with these men and began wanting him to be king.

Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings.” It’s easy to want to jump to the good part, but when we skip over the small beginnings, we miss vital lessons we need for sustainable growth. The small beginnings are where the foundation is laid that will uphold you later. We still need to keep our eyes on where we’re going, but don’t miss what God is trying to do right now. The people, resources or success God has given you right now may not look like much, but He made us a promise. If we will be faithful in the little things, He will trust us with bigger things. Sometimes we must step backwards to get to a place where we can grow again the right way. God’s desire for each of us is to grow in Him. Where you are now is on,y temporary and it’s also necessary to learn what you can so He can take you further than you’ve dreamed.

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

November 15, 2017 · 5:43 AM

The Snowball Effect

When people see that my middle initial is “P”, they immediately want to know what it stands for. I usually grin and say, “Procrastinator!” I tell them my motto is, “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?” I say it tongue in cheek, and sometimes it takes people a minute to catch how I changed the famous saying. Even though I’m joking, procrastination is something I struggle with and have to fight against.

It was one thing when it was school work, but then it bled into my job. After a while, I realized I had been procrastinating on my calling. God’s still, small voice was always there reminding me to get started, but I always found a way to put it off. I always figured I had time. Then one day I realized I had been putting God off for over ten years. I prayed, “OK, Lord. When you’re ready, I’m ready.” Things began to fall into place, but it was slow. Even now, I struggle sometimes with how slowly God is moving to make things happen.

I began to get upset at God because I want Him to move quickly now that I’ve decided not to procrastinate. I didn’t like how little was being accomplished. Then I was reminded of Zerubbabel’s message from God in Zechariah. He was told to rebuild the temple, a massive undertaking. I’m sure he struggled with the lack of progress it was showing. That’s when God spoke in Zechariah 4:10, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (NLT).

Getting things started is always the hardest. It’s like the snowball effect. Things start small, but over time they grow exponentially. If you’re in the beginning stages of doing what God asked you to, stop comparing yourself to others who are farther along. Don’t despise the small beginnings. It’s important to get the foundation right and to take your time. God is pleased you’re on the journey. Take it one step at a time, and trust Him to complete it. If you haven’t started yet, quit procrastinating and do something to start today.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,