It’s the Little Things
It’s the little things that formulate life’s treasures,
It’s the weak things that tear the strong ones down.
It’s the tiny drops that fill the ocean’s measure,
It’s the simple deeds that make the world go round!
It’s the silent thought that forbids a painful heartbreak,
It’s the faintest smile that removes an angry frown.
It’s the slightest gesture of hope that one can make,
That lifts a man up when he’s down!
It’s the small hills which make the largest mountains,
It’s the unknown who rise to renown.
It’s the greatest in need, who shall likely succeed,
In exchanging their cross for the crown!
It’s the way that is down that leads up,
It’s what a man gives that he gains.
It’s the ones who die that shall live bye and bye,
It’s the ignorant that have all the brains!
It’s the poor who are rich and don’t know it,
It’s those who have not that can lose.
It’s not at your birth, you’re assessed for your worth,
It’s the little things of life that you choose.
O.D. Wilson – deceased
The preceding poem was written many years ago by my wife’s father, and shows the fallacy of ignoring the “little things” of life. It has been often said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is true, and when considered in context, a single step is very small in comparison to the whole of a thousand-mile journey. This “proverb” simply means that big achievements are made through small but concrete resolves. Dreams and life’s goals are achieved by making a plan, taking the first step towards it and continuing until the reward becomes reality.
God also does not ignore the “little things”. The Spirit had Solomon write about four little things in Proverbs 30:24-28. The next thing stated in regard to these is that they are “exceeding wise”. There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. Each were made by God with the instinct to do the things in this passage. It is because they follow “God’s Plan” that make them wise. It is also by these “little” things God teaches us much through His Word. These little things are great examples.
The Spirit also had Solomon pen the Words we find in Proverbs 15:16 in regard to what we have in this life. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Then, the Spirit had Isaiah write about the might God would provide as His Will was being carried out in the land of Canaan. Isaiah 60:22 – A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
Even “small” places had a “big” part in the plan of God as Micah 5:2 tells us in prophecy about the Lord. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
However, not all that is “little” in this life is good. In 1Corinthians 5:6 the Spirit had Paul write to the brethren in Corinth to remind them of this. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? This warning is given that we choose carefully the little things as well as the big things of life.
One must make choice in this life. God’s Word requires just a few “little” things for one to do to begin their lives as Christians. These are: 1) Hear – Romans 10:17. 2) Believe that Jesus is the Christ – John 8:24. 3) Repent of past sins – Acts 17:30. 4) Confess that Jesus is God’s Son – Acts 8:37 and 5) Be baptized into Christ to have your sins washed away – Acts 22:16. Then, as a Christian, 6) Live the remainder of their lives in faithful service to God as He has directed in His Word. In Revelation 2:10b, the church at Smyrna was told this . . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Consider that these things and the span of our lives in which we have the opportunity to obey God are “very little” when compared to the enormity of eternity. Choose wisely! Remember, doing even God’s “little things” shows wisdom and produces great rewards.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
