On a recent mission trip, during our devotional time, our Mission Pastor’s wife shared some insight in how she has counselled her children to walk more in the ways of the Lord. She was helping them to navigate the cares of the world and “busyness” in general. I don’t remember verbatim what she said, but it was along these lines:
- Do the little things.
- Do what you can.
- Do something.
- Take the first step.
As I listened to her words, it was impressed upon me that this is good advice not only to children, teenagers, and young adults, but also to older adults like me. How often have I been guilty of not doing anything simply because I couldn’t do everything? For example, she advised, if you don’t have time to read a full chapter from the Scriptures that morning, why not read and mediate on one verse?
The simple wisdom she shared was something I needed to hear and something I still need to be reminded of. In our frustrations with those things we cannot do, we often fail to do the thing we can. As someone once said, “Don’t let great ambitions cause you to not appreciate the small accomplishments.”
Life is difficult. Let’s be honest about that. But that doesn’t mean it is bad or undoable. While some things are obviously beyond our capabilities and control, most of the things we want to do but don’t are a direct result of our own decisions.
Want to pray more? Pray more. Want to know Scripture more. Study Scripture more. Want to spend more of your time on worthwhile pursuits? Make time for it. Get up earlier, stay up later, or turn off the television. Harder than it sounds? Sure. But what is on your list and my list that is beyond our capabilities? What on that list is undoable? By the way, that’s our problem. We’re spending too much time looking at “our” capabilities.
Life is a challenge. But it’s a challenge that we must undertake. Life needs to be lived, and not simply endured. This life challenge is one that I’ve failed at on more occasions than I can remember or count. The full life in Christ cannot be reduced to simply failing or succeeding. It’s not that simple. Rather, it’s one of trying, making a little progress, and trying again tomorrow. In theological circles, that’s called sanctification. And it’s hard. Our flesh fights it with all strength and ability. And too often it wins. Why, because we don’t pray more. Because we don’t study and meditate on Scripture more. Because we don’t spend our time on worthwhile pursuits.
Sounds like a vicious circle, but it doesn’t have to be. Every time that I have asked the Lord to forgive my failures, to strengthen my weaknesses, to change my perspective, He demonstrates his faithfulness and His presence. When I don’t make progress, it’s because I stop doing the things which I know to do. I pray less, study Scripture less, and spend my time on less worthwhile pursuits.
I don’t experience everything that God has for me, because I don’t always do the little things. I don’t do what I can. I don’t take the next step. But here’s the good news. Again, Christ never gives up. When He extended his grace and I trusted Him for salvation, I trusted in His faithfulness, not my own. My faith is inconsistent. His is steadfast. I often waver. He’s a stronghold. I continually lose my way. He gently nudges me back on course. I seek my own way. He lovingly drapes his arm across my shoulder and says, “this way”.
My eternity is secure because of what He has done. Nothing can change that. On my deathbed with my last breath, I want to acknowledge that my hope is in Christ alone and in nothing that I have done or left undone. I also want to assure my family that everything’s OK. I want them to find comfort in my assurance in Christ.
With my security in Jesus established, and requiring nothing else from me, I am called upon to live this life for His glory. Do I dare even consider giving up the fight? Do I dare languish in mediocrity because of my laziness and poor choices? Do I dare to do anything less than to seek to live life to the fullest, embracing Him, His Word, His example, His challenge.
My choices are simple. Sit still and accept the status quo or take the next step, even if the next step is the first step? And once I take that step, guess Who’s ahead and leading the way.