Keys to Small Beginnings
I love small beginnings; I embrace small beginnings because Jesus Christ must act to get things done and move things ahead. As He does this, there is no confusion as to where the credit and glory go.
Small beginnings are important
1) Zechariah 4:8-10 – Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel— these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth (NASB)
2) Matthew 12:15-21 – But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, MY Servant whom I have chosen;
MY Beloved in whom MY soul is well- pleased;
I will put MY Spirit upon Him,
And HE shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
“ HE will not quarrel, nor cry out;
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
“ A battered reed HE will not break off,
And A smoldering wick HE will not put out,
Until HE leads justice to victory.
“ And in His name the Gentiles will hope (NASB)
3) 1 Kings 19:11-14 – But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too (New Living Translation)
Conclusions
1. Jesus Christ’s voice is often the quiet one, the one I must learn to recognize (John 10:2-5) in this life. I love the quite voice, the small beginning.
2. Small beginnings, truly small beginnings, are from God and we should not despise them.
What regular steps am I taking to learn to hear Jesus’ quite voice, my Shepherd’s voice?
Do I embrace small beginnings as I work for Jesus, or do I only desire big things?
