Day 2 | Learning to Value Small Beginnings

Zechariah 4:10; Job 8:7

Have you ever rushed through a project? What was the outcome? You barely made it or you just made it enough to pass? Since I was a little girl, I would rush through homework and school work assignments. After rushing, I would miss a word or miss an answer because I didn’t see it while I was rushing. I was an A/B student who realized later that if I slowed down, I could achieve all A’s at full capacity. 

I carried that attitude right into adulthood. I made it a personal goal to competitively complete a task, even though no one else knew I was competing against them. I wanted to build, and build quickly. I wanted to complete the project and complete it quickly. I was satisfied with mediocre because it was “good enough”. I told everyone that I work fast and encouraged them to keep up. 

However, this plan did not work well in some instances. 

Overtime, when I submitted my will over to God’s will. I slowly began to learn ways to trust the process, do what I can with the little that I have and see a project through to a completed work. I had to learn to do things God’s way and not Tangela’s way. I intentionally began to slow down my thinking habits as well as my movement. No rush. 

Thus, I began to understand and appreciate what others may consider small beginnings. In the book of Zechariah, the Jews were making a concerted effort to rebuild the temple. This wasn’t their first effort and it wouldn’t be their last. After a massive destruction of the temple, I can only imagine the workers coming back to a place to rebuild and feeling discouraged. I can imagine them wanting to quickly rebuild something and restore it to what they know it to be. Yet, God, through the prophet Zechariah, slowed them down in order for them to find appreciation on small beginnings. 

Small beginnings and slower processes help us see things in ways our eyes likely wouldn’t catch if we act in haste. Consider this, if you had a life saver hard candy, you would get more out of it, if you savor the moment rather than rushing to eat it all at once. The flavor doesn’t change, the process doesn’t change, you just get more out of the experience by slowly eating the candy. 

What idea do you have in mind? What project are you working on? Maybe you are actively studying the Word of God hoping you can digest it all in one sitting. Or, maybe God has called you to a certain area in your life that will help build His kingdom but the process feels slow. Take your time and reflect on your own small beginnings and ask yourself, what is the lesson in this area of my life? God will lead you to greater understanding and insight. 

Last, remember this, “to whom much is given, much is required”. This means that when there is increase, there is much more requirement on your part. You will want to be equipped because if you are not, you run the risk of losing what you have been given. Small beginnings don’t seem so small, when we take this perspective. I can now say, while I appreciate having more, I can also appreciate having just enough to work with. 

There is a scripture that I want to remind you of. In the scripture, the leader is telling the follower that they have done well in being faithful over a few things. Thus the leader (God) is making the follower (you) the headship over many. (Matthew 25:23) This is God’s math for His assignments for His people. Remain faithful, stay the course, stay encouraged and eventually those small beginnings will grow.

Reflection Questions: 

1. Where in your life are you overlooking a small beginning because you are focused on where you want to be?
2. What would it look like to slow down and be faithful with what God has given you in this season?

Submitted by: Tangela Morris (Pastor T with Ladies In Full Effect)