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The Power of Being Small





"Who would despise the day of small things?”, wrote the prophet Zachariah over 2500 years ago (Chapter 4:10). The influence of small things may not be noticeable, but can be powerful. According to Harvard business Review, small is the "new big" in businesses (The Power of small Wins). It is getting noticed in the business world that the power of small decisions that are smartly made, can set big things in motion. Seemingly insignificant people or decisions can have significant influence. Nano-engineering is the science that deals with tiny things measured in billionths of a metre which can produce powerful things. Nano technology is used to make unique composite material with properties which would provide long lasting and high mechanical strength to relatively light materials. Such material is used instead of stainless steel, in nuclear reactors, automobile manufacturing, and aircraft manufacturing. The power of being made very small is well established in how the power of small businesses influence the economy of the world. At the same time, small and medium enterprises also create 80% of pollution. Great oaks are grown from little acorns. Big doors are turning on small hinges.

Jesus told them a parable in Luke chapter 13. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32 ; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). A small seed gives life to a big tree. Even the simplest and the smallest is considered to have great potential in the kingdom of God.

Jesus started his ministry with 12 disciples that grew to 120 ( Acts 1:15). On the day of pentecost, 3000 believers (Acts 2:41) joined the church which again grew to 5000 following the pentecost (Acts 4:4). They multiplied in Jerusalem, Judea, Galilee and Samaria (Acts 6:7; 9:3). Infinite number of people have joined the church ever since and the growth continues. God’s kingom spreads its branches where birds of the air come and perch in its branches. Birds of the air are so many in number and varieties and species. So are people, with all cultures and languages and reaces who found their nest on the branches of the kingdom. As the Psalmist says (Ps 84) “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God."

Theologian Francis Schaeffer, In his book, "No Little People” wrote: “In God’s sight there are no little people and no little places.” Jesus said,  "Fear not, little flock; for your Father is pleased give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32).  When faced with a task that may seem too big to handle, remember the mustard seed. You will never be too small for God and, as a matter of fact, you’re just the right size for God to use you right now. God is more concerned with what you’re becoming, not with what size you are right now. It is not the faith that grows, rather, it is the people who grow in faith.

David was the smallest and the youngest among his brothers. God chose him despite his size. (1 Samuel 16:7).  God said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature." David who was much smaller than Goliath defeated the giant.  Consider the five loaves and two fish in the hands of a boy. It multiplied and grew when turned over to Jesus. (Luke 12:32).  Jesus cared about the individual as well as the masses. He taught large crowds if they appeared, but it never bothered Him that His audience grew smaller.

When the prophet Zechariah said that thousands of years ago (520 BC - 518 BC), “who has despised the day of small things?" he understood that the small work he and others were doing will bring deliverance and joy to the people of Israel one day. Many great accomplishments for God had small beginnings. When Zerubbabel was called to rebuild God’s ruined temple, one of the first things he did, with the help of God’s people, was lay a foundation. Then they began building on that foundation, stone upon stone. Many shortsighted citizens balked at those basic efforts and “despised the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10). But God promised Zerubbabel success, not by mere human might and strength but by His Spirit.

The dew drop does God's work as much as the thunderstorm. Remember that there are no small places or small people. All are precious in His sight. The work we do in Jesus' name, when strengthened by His mighty Spirit, may start off small but will grow in time and bring blessings to the world and delight to the Lord. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12).

Blessings

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Fulll sermon audio: Mathew Philip 
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