The "Little Things" are Actually Big
As we grudge along in our day-to-day routines, how often do we complain? Or convey our little issues as more serious than they need to be? Over the past few months, God has opened my eyes to the importance of small details. We humans tend to focus on minor problems and then exaggerate their impact. How often, though, do we focus on minor joys? Or our “small” behaviors? Because their significant impact is not exaggerated.
Last October, I moved to a new world. Any sense of comfort I knew vanished. Food stared back at me, 9:30pm became my new dinner, and I embraced constant embarrassment (fun fact- “preservativos” does not mean preservatives. It means condoms. So, if you ever need to explain that bread in the U.S. is worse than Spain’s because of the amount of preservatives … make sure you say “conservantes.” You’re welcome). As I navigated a new language and culture, I often became frustrated with myself every time I missed a bus, failed to properly communicate on the phone, or failed in general. While I was conscientious of how I appeared to others regarding language skills, I never realized the influence of my daily actions. I soon noticed that I was “watched” (yes, of course by the government, but this I already knew). Kids and adults alike saw everything about me, even little details I ignored. They noticed when I ate with a spoon rather than a fork, my colorful socks, when I wore a new shirt, and even how pointy my nose was. Things I did not really think about were what stood out.
As Christians, all eyes are upon us. As Puritan leader John Winthrop warned, “we must be as a citty upon a hill for the eies of all our upon us.” My actions, your actions- they are all watched. People in my town notice my differences (and no, not just because “I’m a a-crazy American.”). They see the joy of Christ through me, even behind culture and language barriers. They see my kindness, my reactions to situations, my heart. Jesus proclaims in Matthew 5:14-16, “ 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden … 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” When we complain to peers, especially when it really is not a problem, or fester anger, non-Christians see these; these actions do not glorify God.
Last December, I was fortunate to visit with a friend in Sevilla. He shared a story with me of his regret while working as a hotel cleaner. When guests forget items, he places them in the lost and found. After two weeks, if no one calls or claims them, he keeps them. For me, I do not view my friend’s actions as wrong. In fact, at the end of the summer camp season, I usually snag a water bottle from lost and found. If someone does not claim an item, how is it stealing or sinful? Yet, the sheer guilt I saw in my friend’s eyes pierced my heart.
My Sevillana friend is currently evangelizing to his childhood friends and is under constant pressure to be perfect. For the past four years, he has devoted all of his time and efforts to representing Christ well and sharing the Gospel with them. He answers questions, argues patiently, researches- and what do his friends do? Point out every flaw; refer to him as a thief and inconsistent Christian.
As I sympathize with my friend, aren’t we all in this situation? The friends his heart yearns nothing more for than to share Jesus with, constantly point out every mistake. The Sevillana could have easily given up from this discouragement, or reason with himself his actions do not matter. But the truth: they do. While he feels the pressure to be perfect, it holds him accountable. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul corrects the Church of Corinth in their actions regarding sacrificial meat. The Gentiles sacrificed meat to their gods, and while eating this is not inherently wrong, if it leads others astray, we should not do it. While Paul admits there is no harm in eating the meat, he still argues, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall” (v. 13). My Sevillana friend to some extent was lucky. His friends confronted him of the errors they saw. For me, how many times do my actions, words, or silence show a negative light of God to others and I am unaware?
I want to encourage you all to be more open-minded this season. Be conscientious of your conversations with others. Redirect negative thoughts to see God working. On a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, I heard a phenomenal sermon on living fearless and being “a problem for the enemy.” In Ephesians 6:11, we are commanded to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” “To put on” is an imperative command, not just a suggestion. Do we live like this? Do our everyday decisions show that we are ready to fight the enemy? And not just fight, but actually create problems for him? Verse 13 continues, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” When exams are in our midst, when work is challenging, when we feel on top of the world- all of our actions and words must be a problem for the enemy.
“17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
~2 Corinthians 5:17-20