who has despised the day of small things?
Who has despised the day of small things?
This sentence jumped out at me while I was reading my Bible on Monday morning. I quickly scribbled the sentence down on my hand so I wouldn’t forget it as I headed off to work. Though it has faded substantially, I can still make out the hastily written words – who has despised the day of small things?
Recently, the concept of smallness has been a bit of a hot topic for me. My efforts feel small. My reach feels small. My audience feels small. In a world that is so full of people and ideas, why even bother to add my contribution to the fray?
Who has despised the day of small things?
If I’m honest in responding to this question, the answer is me. I am the one who has despised the day of small things. I am the one who wants to experience my own version of success. I am the one who wants things to be constantly improved on and bettered. I am the one who minimizes the value of the small things in favour of bigger and flashier experiences.
Who has despised the day of small things?
The context of this verse is a telling one. The Israelites, having been exiled for 70 years, finally returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the city. The task was not simple, nor the reconstruction process easy! The Israelites were faced with opposition on all fronts. From within, the people were apathetic and grieving the loss of the former temple and city. From without, their neighbours harassed and discouraged them. Eventually, Israel gave up, and the temple sat, unfinished, for 16 long years.
Zechariah was called by God to encourage the people to complete the work they had abandoned. The Lord raised up a man, Zerubbabel, to rebuild the temple.
“It’s not by might nor by power [that you will rebuild the temple], but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts.
Who has despised the day of small things?
The NLT translates the verse saying, “do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
The things we count small by human standards are by no means discounted in God’s economy. His economy differs from our own in that one person is worth sacrificing for.
One lost sheep is worth leaving 99 others to find.
One lonely person is worth noticing.
One reader is worth writing for.
One student is worth teaching.
One family member is worth praying for.
One community is worth investing in.
One cup of coffee is worth offering to someone.
One assignment is worth turning in.
One gift is worth giving.
One question is worth asking.
One step is worth taking.
One life is worth living.
Who has despised the day of small things?
The current culture is very focused on trends, making a name for yourself, going viral, making money, being famous… The list goes on. I’m sure you’ve felt the pressure to measure up, to do things a certain way to achieve success in the eyes of others. To have an aesthetic home. To make picture-perfect meals. To have a fun relationship. To stand out in your field. To be a person of influence with a large following. To attain a 4.0 GPA.
And I’m not saying that these things are inherently wrong or something to avoid. However, when our primary focus becomes looking good in the eyes of others, we can miss out on the beauty that’s happening right in front of us - the small things that God is doing.
God is in the mundane. He is in the small things. He is right there with us as we carry out our menial labor. Nothing is too small to escape His loving gaze. None of your labour is in vain.
Who has despised the day of small things?
The Lord Himself rejoices to see the work begin. The small beginnings. The little, faltering baby steps you’re taking to approach Him. God is not shaming you for starting small.
God welcomes your little offering. God is not limited by your own limitations, nor does He fault you for your weaknesses. Small beginnings are an opportunity for God to step in and carry you through by His Spirit.
He doesn’t ask you to figure things out on your own. He doesn’t leave you to muddle through life by yourself. He doesn’t abandon you amid your suffering to sort through the emotions on your own.
The day of small things, this very day is a day where God rejoices over you. This day of small things matters in God’s economy. Whether you are washing the dishes, finishing your homework, or completing a work project, it all matters. You can serve the LORD just as well by sweeping the floors as by preaching the gospel to hundreds. A life lived for Jesus is never in vain. A life lived for Jesus is never wasted, even if it looks smaller than you expected or wanted.
Who has despised the day of small things? Not the Lord. And if not the Lord, then neither shall I.
Lord, you do not despise small things. Your power is displayed in my weakness. Your all-encompassing greatness is honored in my smallness. Help me to see the sacredness of the small in my daily life. May you increase in my life while I diminish. Amen.
