Small Stuff

I heard someone say once that he had two principles that governed his life. Number one was, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” The second one was, “It’s all small stuff.”

That’s a pretty good way to live. I’m not sure how much you stress over little things, but it’s never worth it. Except that how we handle the small things in life pretty much determines how successful we are with the big stuff. In fact, in the big picture it really is all small stuff.
Think about it. How many of us have ever been bitten by a lion or tiger, or stepped on by an elephant? Very few, I imagine. On the other hand, how many have been stung by a bee, bitten by a mosquito, or harassed by a fly? If you’ve ever spent the night with a mosquito hovering over your bed, you know how powerful small things can be.
Until a few years ago, there was an enormous pine tree that grew in the mountains of Colorado. It was only half grown when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A close study revealed that it had been struck by lightning 14 times and survived centuries of Colorado’s bad winters. Fires didn’t kill it, nor did rumbling earthquakes. Many came to believe the old tree was indestructible.
Then it happened. It was done in by a bug–a little pine beetle that was so small you could crush it between your thumb and finger. A tiny insect proved more powerful and destructive than “earth, wind and fire.”
One of the reasons small things are so important is because they lead to big things. That principle applies in so many areas, be it relationally, emotionally, professionally, financially…and spiritually. Life is basically made up of a series of small things–“it’s all small stuff”–that, combined together, make much bigger things. How you handle the small bites of life will determine how you handle the big stuff.
The truth is, if you want to do great things in your life, you have to start with the small opportunities the Lord gives you each day, and do them in a great way. That may be simply sharing the gospel with a neighbor or co-worker, spending a few extra quality minutes playing catch with your son in the yard, offering a word of encouragement to a friend in need, or serving dinner to the homeless men at the Firehouse next month. Whatever the opportunities, however big or small, do what you can with what you have where you are.
Jesus said it this way: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10) I hope you’ll be trustworthy with the “very little” things God gives you to do this week, and that He’ll bless you “muchly.”
–Pastor Ken