Don’t Despise the Small Tasks

I am frequently asked the question –

“How can I know God’s will?”

When decisions, small and great are before us, we want clear direction! Asking God’s will is a good question, but often the answer has been given, yet we are balking at it because it isn’t what we wanted or it isn’t how we expected God to answer!

Recently a young woman approached me with the question regarding her future. She had big dreams, and there’s nothing wrong with that, unless God is redirecting. As she talked with me and told me her goals to have xxxx dollars, marriage, a large family, and great opportunities to serve God in a specific field of her training, it seemed clear that God was taking her in another direction. I loved her dream, and I know God wants her to lay that before Him in her requests. But then she shared that certain doors had closed firmly and another door that seemed like a very small opportunity with small financial return had been opened.

It was a great opportunity and would give ministry opportunities unlimited! Was the pay high? No. Was it fulfilling all her dreams? Not directly. But it clearly seemed like this was how God at work in her life. Her struggle was surrender to this whole new direction. I sought to help her see that God is using small things – a smaller ministry, a small salary, a smaller scope to prepare her character for bigger things down the road.

The important thing today is that she (and you and I) respond to the invitation to draw near to God in that intimate relationship that He initiates. As our love for Him deepens and we watch Him direct or redirect our steps, we must continue to be obedient today in the little things because we love God and know that we can trust Him for our lives.

What other “small areas” are we submitting to?

• The daily routines of our life that seem mundane, like caring for our home, our family, or our jobs. Don’t despise these things. They are a training ground.
• Our “small” place in a ministry. Perhaps you’re desiring a greater platform. You must allow God to use this smaller place you’re in to prepare your godly character so you will be ready when God knows the time is right.

Moses, David, Gideon, and Joseph are just a few examples of how we see God getting them ready in small places for what He knew would take place in the future.

Take your hands off your life and lean into whatever God is doing in your life. You can trust Him with your future! There are really no “small things” in God’s awesome plan!

God directs us in His will, but we must be willing to accept that He might be using “little things” to get us ready for what He knows is down the road. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey…even in the small tasks.