Most people of my era are familiar with the idea expressed by my pastor in the early days of my ministry. Dr. Tom Wallace said, “The man that is too big for the little things, is too small for the big things.” I have never forgotten the naming of the long list of “little things” he talked about. He has spent the larger part of his 85 years helping what we call “little churches” as they strive to do big things for Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Margaret Leighton of Carnforth, England has a note from St. Stephens Church bulletin in the UK stating, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.”
Over the last 50 some years I have listened as myriads of men and women profess love for Christ and utter with utmost reverence, “Someday my ship will come in and I will give vast amounts to the Lord.” The truth is if we are not using some of the little we have we will not use much of what we get when the “ship” comes in. Using some of the little includes, time, talent and treasure.
Many preachers that I know started with nothing except the smile of Christ on their life and over years have experienced the blessing of the Lord on their efforts. They seem to be at peace with the Lord and demonstrate inner peace that passes understanding.
It’s good to remember that while we are serving the Lord, whether in ministry or other fields, we can and should be doing acts of kindness, speaking words of encouragement to hurting and afraid people and sharing what we have, while we listen to those distraught souls who are overwhelmed with the pain of life.
F.W. Faber pointed out something to really give thought to while we are doing little things, all the while wishing they were “big, like Rockefeller things.” Faber said this: “Love’s secret is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones.”
Years ago our church often had “luminary” speakers in to preach. One of the more successful men would always make a big deal out of picking them up at the airport and driving them around while they were in town. One evening I asked if he and his wife would stop by a humble house just down the road from the church and pick up a very poor lady who volunteered to work in the nursery. He said, “I do not have time for people like her.” I said, “Okay I will find someone else.”
A month or so later one of our nation’s leading preachers was coming to preach for us. Mr. Somebody waltzed into my office and said, “I will be picking up Dr. So and So.” I said, “Nope, not this time. If you’re too uppity to pick up Mrs. So and So, people in a place known for its extreme heat will be throwing snowballs at each other when I have you “serve” one of our speakers.” The man remains an enemy to this day. He never got it. I thank the Lord that most of my enemies are people of means. I have very few poor enemies.
As the Lord continues to use this work, thanks floods my soul that many of my friends, some who are known as poor, help as they can with a little and that little counts as much larger on the ledger of heaven than does the influence giving of Mr. & Mrs. Uppity!
Little IS much when God is in it!
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
Our go to IT man is Oral Deckard
Your comments etc are deeply appreciated and may be used in future notes along the above line.
Mrs. Margaret Leighton of Carnforth, England has a note from St. Stephens Church bulletin in the UK stating, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.”
Over the last 50 some years I have listened as myriads of men and women profess love for Christ and utter with utmost reverence, “Someday my ship will come in and I will give vast amounts to the Lord.” The truth is if we are not using some of the little we have we will not use much of what we get when the “ship” comes in. Using some of the little includes, time, talent and treasure.
Many preachers that I know started with nothing except the smile of Christ on their life and over years have experienced the blessing of the Lord on their efforts. They seem to be at peace with the Lord and demonstrate inner peace that passes understanding.
It’s good to remember that while we are serving the Lord, whether in ministry or other fields, we can and should be doing acts of kindness, speaking words of encouragement to hurting and afraid people and sharing what we have, while we listen to those distraught souls who are overwhelmed with the pain of life.
F.W. Faber pointed out something to really give thought to while we are doing little things, all the while wishing they were “big, like Rockefeller things.” Faber said this: “Love’s secret is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones.”
Years ago our church often had “luminary” speakers in to preach. One of the more successful men would always make a big deal out of picking them up at the airport and driving them around while they were in town. One evening I asked if he and his wife would stop by a humble house just down the road from the church and pick up a very poor lady who volunteered to work in the nursery. He said, “I do not have time for people like her.” I said, “Okay I will find someone else.”
A month or so later one of our nation’s leading preachers was coming to preach for us. Mr. Somebody waltzed into my office and said, “I will be picking up Dr. So and So.” I said, “Nope, not this time. If you’re too uppity to pick up Mrs. So and So, people in a place known for its extreme heat will be throwing snowballs at each other when I have you “serve” one of our speakers.” The man remains an enemy to this day. He never got it. I thank the Lord that most of my enemies are people of means. I have very few poor enemies.
As the Lord continues to use this work, thanks floods my soul that many of my friends, some who are known as poor, help as they can with a little and that little counts as much larger on the ledger of heaven than does the influence giving of Mr. & Mrs. Uppity!
Little IS much when God is in it!
Copyright © 2015 Larry Lilly
Our go to IT man is Oral Deckard
Your comments etc are deeply appreciated and may be used in future notes along the above line.
RSS Feed