Little things, big results!

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!

Everett

This week the world lost a great man.  He was my pastor, my mentor, my greatest supporter. Everett was my friend.

Everett was known in the Presbyterian world as a faithful, strong and compassionate pastor. He was a pastor who preached the Word of God, a pastor who was present and available to his congregants, and a pastor who would make a point of meeting colleagues for coffee.

Everett taught me what it means to be a pastor.

As a new minister, Everett came alongside to encourage and support me. He shared some raw and difficult times of ministry with me, teaching me the importance of leading from a posture of prayer. He also shared with me the joy and successes of ministry, and with his stories he would point to the faithfulness of God.

Everett taught me what it means to be a mentor.

Sometimes in life we are fortunate enough to have a person come alongside who is steady, faithful and true. A person who is not afraid to lovingly set you straight when you are veering off the path, and just as quickly ready to praise you when you’ve done well.

Everett taught me what it means to be a friend.   

Everett and I spoke on the phone regularly.  He would call to check in and I would do the same.  In the last few years, I would end our conversation by saying, “I love you, Ev.”  I am glad I did, because I know that he knew.

He would respond, “Love you too”.

Today as I mourn the loss of my friend, my mentor, my father figure, because he said it, I know it. It is healing. And I am blessed.

Last Sunday we talked about the words we speak, and the importance of saying something good if you think it. That message has become even more poignant for me today. Proverbs 16:24 says: Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Words are important. Don’t just think, ‘I love you’. Say it. Be a blessing.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalms 19:14

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

As a person thinks, so they become.

Are you a Star Wars fan?  Have you seen the movie Rouge One?  It is a fairly old movie now but if you are fan you don’t mind watching it again, which Brian and I did on Sunday night.

In the movie the heroine, Jyn, meets up with an unusual ally in a blind warrior name Chirrup Imwe.  Though he is not a Jedi, he believes strongly in the “force” and is guided by it. Several times in the movie we find him repeating out loud, "I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me."

In one particular scene, Chirrup Imwe walks into what would appear to be certain death.  Warriors were everywhere, shooting at him and all around him. Yet he walks courageously, repeating his mantra as he goes, and with his faith intact, Chirrup Imwe accomplishes his mission and saves the day.  Well, maybe not the day. You need to see the movie.  What we do see is that he was one with the force and the force was with him!

As a person thinks in their heart, so they become.  Proverbs 23:7

Last Sunday morning we talked about the importance of our thoughts. Our thoughts, even though we may consider it to be a little thing, are actually very important because it is our thoughts that determine who we become.

Solomon said in Proverbs 23:7, “As a person thinks in their heart, so they become”.  Isn’t it true that our lives have a tendency to move in the direction of our strongest thoughts.  For instance, if we believe we can, chances are we will.  Likewise, if we believe we can’t, we likely won’t.

On Sunday, I asked you to seek God for one thought.  Like Chirrup Imwe, it is a thought that you will repeat over and over and over again until your mind is renewed.  The thought becomes truth in your heart, and it will change the words you speak and the way you live.

One thought.

Here’s the thing: that one little thought could result in a bigger change than you could ever imagine!

If you want to change the way you live, change the way you think.

May the force be with you!