I seem to be a little late to the game, given that we are now in February, but this week I picked up a new journal. It’s so exciting! There is something about all those blank pages waiting to be filled. Such possibilities! Not unlike a new year.

I know for many a new year represents the possibility of doing something different, or even awesome. Perhaps it is setting a goal to lose weight, kick a bad habit, read the bible cover to cover, get into shape, or run a marathon!

I like to set big goals, but what I have discovered about myself is that small goals coupled with faithfulness and discipline produce the biggest results.

Being faithful in the little areas can have wonderful long term results. I think we can all agree that we’ve seen this to be true.

For example, the more consistently I read my Bible, the more I grow in my walk with God. Or the more consistently we eat properly and exercise the better we feel. We can be faithful in the little things! What’s so awesome is that God honours faithfulness, even to little things.

Look at what Jesus said in Luke 16:10:

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

In Proverbs 13:4 it says:

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Over and over scripture emphasizes the value of diligence and discipline.

God rewards our diligence, discipline, faithfulness and hard work. We may not see the results immediately, but over time we will.

Don’t be discouraged. Take the first little step. Be disciplined, not in your own strength but in the power of the Holy spirit and watch. As you are faithful in the little things, big things happen!