“Do not despise these small beginnings.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT
“You have to start where you are with what you have.”
My thoughts today are that you, “begin at the beginning.”
This generation is always in a hurry. Most of us – of any age – are so impatient. We want everything, and we want it right now. If it doesn’t happen right now, then we look somewhere else for satisfaction. We expect instantaneous gratification. I learned from my Dad’s frequent reminders that, “Anything worth having is worth working and waiting for!”
What is it that you have set your heart upon? Will you work diligently for that? Are you willing to make sacrifices to see dreams and achievements happen? How long are you willing to work and wait for your dream to come true, before you give up and accept something lesser but easier? “Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient and take courage.” James 5:7-8 NLT.
You can observe from nature that gradual growth and development is the more natural course of life, and that takes some measure of time. The Bible describes the process of life this way, “The seed should sprout and grow . . for the earth yields crops by itself, first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain.” Mark 4:27-28 NKJV. There is an order and process to life. Sudden success is rarely manageable, enduring, or fully appreciated.
Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful program of building modest, affordable new housing for people who could otherwise not afford a new home, and then providing low cost financing to make it possible. But the family who will move into that home must put a required number of hours into the building of their future home, working alongside the skilled volunteers. Their sweat equity becomes the down payment they didn’t have the money to provide. This wonderfully benevolent program has demonstrated that things which come with personal investment will be rightly appreciated and cared for properly. That principle is true in life.
The better things in life require significant sweat equity. Your personal investment of time and effort multiplies the rewarding sense of accomplishment and satisfaction you will ultimately feel. The Bible wisely counsels, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT.
A seed is such a small thing, but it holds unimagined, God-given potential which is totally disproportionate to its size. You cannot judge capability by apparent capacity. Capability will surprise you every time. What you see is not always what you get. You are a seed capable of producing a harvest for God greater than you have envisioned.
Begin at the beginning! You have to start where you are with what you have; and when that is trusted and fully surrendered to God, amazing things result. Abraham began his adventure with a promise and a vision; Joseph with a dream and misfortune; Moses with a call and a shepherd’s staff; David with a sling and five stones; a little boy with five loaves and two fish. The thing common to all is God. He can do wonders with the smallest of beginnings. See Philippians 1:6 NLT.
My prayer for you is to know God has given you what you need to do what He wants.