Image via Wikipedia
Recent sports headlines:
“Blackhawk rookies have much to savor in victory over Sabres.”
“Patriots savor victory a little longer.” (Obviously before the Super Bowl!)
“Nets can savor this victory over Pistons.”
The other day I walked out the back door, didn’t foresee any great victories ahead like those in the headlines, but savored the day ahead anyway. Taking a phrase from Zechariah 4:10, I looked forward to a “day of small things.”
“Then he (an angel) said to me (Zechariah), “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!'” Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:6-10
This passage refers to the time after the Israelites returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. The foundation of the second Temple had been laid, but rather than rejoicing, many of the people were discouraged because it was smaller than Solomon’s Temple (which was destroyed during the exile). Those discouraged ones were despising the day of small things.
However, God, in effect, said, “This is just the beginning. Stand back and watch!”- telling them the Temple would be completed and would be the House of God. The Lord had appointed Zerubbabel to lead the construction, and, with the Lord’s strength and help, he laid the foundation. Moreover, the victory would come and there would be rejoicing when Zerubbabel lined it up and set the top stone in place.
***
The victories in the sports headlines came from many days of small things: Days of practice, running, weightlifting, and sitting there studying their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
Our lives are also filled with days of small things. But, the exciting part can be that we don’t know which of those are the beginnings of victories. We buy seeds and plant a garden. We hold a musical instrument, hammer, or crochet hook for the first time. We meet a new friend. As a writer, we read a Scripture verse, hear a phrase or see something that gives us an idea. With God’s strength and help, these all may lead to victories.
As with Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the Temple, God often uses small things as the beginnings of His victories: The strings and stakes are laid out for the foundation of a new church. A thought burdens your heart that you should help with a particular ministry, or assist a family in need. An unbelieving friend or relative asks you a sincere question about Jesus. (Think of your own examples to add to this list.)
We can, and should, savor the victories God gives us (and remember all victories are from Him). Nevertheless, a day of small things should be savored too (and not despised); we need to stand back and watch, because we don’t know what great works God has begun that day.
“And he (Jesus) said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 ESV
******************************************************************************************************
This post is part of the Christian Writers blog chain. Our theme for this month is “Savor”. Please see the list to the right and visit my friends’ blogs to see what they have to say about this topic.
I Was Thinking the Other Day About... 
Loved it Bill… the picture of the foundation is perfect! I’ll remember the small things for sure with your encouragement. Thank you 🙂
Thanks Chris – glad it was an encouragement
Savoring the small things is something we need to remind ourselves of often. At least I do. Sometimes my eyes are too forward on the large goals and I miss the small stuff that makes life… life.
Thanks Pegg – I agree, the small stuff makes life… life – very good thought
a post to savour.
thanks
Thanks Jack
Outstanding! So important to savor all the small things…
Thanks Debra – and I agree!
I really, really enjoyed this Bill. Beautifully written and filled with such truth. I love to think about how God can take all the small things–train us up like those athletes–and do something great.
You’ve reminded me that even those small things are important in the long run so they’re good to savor.
Thank you!
Thank you too Carol for your gracious comments – glad you enjoyed it.
Bill, this is a great reminder that God is interested in the small things.
Thanks Mike – and amen, He is
I truly loved this post. We need to take time to ‘savor’ the everyday things. who knows, those small beginnings could be the beginning of something wonderful
Thanks Tracy – glad you enjoyed it. As you say, we never know what might come of the small beginnings when God gets involved.
All those small steps eventually do lead up to something big! Savor the moment.
Thanks Chris and I’ll say amen to that.
Great post. I agree with Chris about the foundational things of life.
Peace and Blessings
Thanks E G – I’m with you fellows too
When I first started reading I thought this would be more about sports but after finishing the post it was a nice segway into savoring life, in both the big and small things. Great job.
Thanks – glad you enjoyed it. I Googled “savor victory” and it pretty much came up sports.
Bingo! You scored with that one. Too often, in pursuit of the big things, we lose appreciation for those small things. Yet the pattern God set for us throughout creation is that the big only comes through the small; without the latter, you’ll never get the former. The more you savor the steps, the better the taste of victory at the end.
Great post!
Thanks Scott for those encouraging words. Excellent statement about savoring the steps for a better taste of victory!
Excellent, encouraging post, Bill. We all need that reminder that even the biggest things start small. Maybe someone needs to bring back the “mustard seed faith” jewelry that was so popular in Christian circles years ago; we could all use that visual aid to keep our spiritual eyes attuned to what God is doing in those days of small things. 🙂
Thanks Traci – I’m not familiar with the mustard seed faith jewelry but I like the idea
Thank you Bill for reminding us that everything begins with the Word of God. He is the builder and we just have to be willing to take the first step! The mighty oak begins with a small acorn. Sorry I was late to the party- but I will savor this all day!
Thank you Terrie – the oak and the acorn is an excellent example. No apology needed – I appreciate your taking the time to read the post.
Good encouragement here Bill. Thanks for reminding us to savour the small stuff. I’ve been working on a long horrible project at work most of this year, and I’m learning that I must stop to celebrate each small victory, before I click the next button and find the next big problem.
Thanks Adam – glad it reminded you about the small stuff and celebration as we progress.
Bill, excellent post, and a good reaffirmation and reminder that we should savor the moments, good and bad, because it gives God room to work! 🙂 What a blessing to be able to show God’s faithfulness before, during, and after we are victorious over the wilderness.
(sorry I’m late. I went into social hibernation this weekend to recharge myself.)
Thank you Nona – glad you enjoyed it, and no apology necessary – social hibernation is often needed!
To savor the small things…it’s where I live my life. Seeking beauty in the small, God in every breath. Where I struggle is in seeing the bigger picture, stepping away from the little to grasp a wider perspective. Loved this post, Bill!
Thanks Cindee – It’s great to think about God working all the small things into his wonderful overall purpose. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Great post. I agree with Cindee in that sometimes it’s also hard to see the bigger picture…until God points it out and suddenly all those “little steps” add up to one big victory.
Thanks, Michael – you’re right in that we sometimes feel we’re not making progress but God is working all along toward our victory.
Thanks Bill, you reminded me that small things matter and that in God no effort or thing is too small.
You’re welcome, Marilyn. Glad it was a reminder of that for you.
This was awesome, Bill. It does start with the small things.
Sorry I’m late this month. I had a lot of those little things going on. 😉
Thanks, Deborah – Don’t consider it late, it’s kinda nice to have comments come in throughout the month!
Pingback: Savoring and Serving. « Dancing Through Life with Spirit
Pingback: Savor the Story | CWBC | Angel Breath Books
Pingback: Savor | CWBC | Word Obsession