“Small things become big things.”

A thought by Bob Goff, from his book, Dream Big (Kindle Locations 1228). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

This sounds great.

A Mustard Tree

Bob says, “Jesus told His friends nothing less. He talked about mustard seeds and said they were the smallest kind of seed. The fact is, they’re not. Because I’m a lawyer, I checked. The smallest seed in the world is a Peruvian orchid. It weighs less than one twenty-four millionths of an ounce. The story isn’t about the seed though; it’s about the tree it grows into and the rest it gives to those who need it most. I’ve done a couple of big things but a lot more small ones. You have too. God can use both, I suppose, but I think He delights in the small stuff a lot more.

“Other than my kidneys being permanently shot, I’m just fine after getting malaria. I’ve crossed kidneys off of my donor card. They’re just no good anymore. I’m trying to grow a strong heart to make up for it.

“If you hold out your left hand in front of you, I bet it will be as steady as mine is. I could do Lasik surgery on anyone with eyeballs right-handed. Since the tussle with malaria, my left hand has a very noticeable tremor. When it really gets shaking, I could whip eggs with it.”

He goes on, “I was in Washington, DC, for some meetings with friends who were doing important things. As the meeting wrapped up, someone said, ‘Let’s all hold hands and pray.’ I was a little surprised in the context, but a circle was already forming. Instead of reaching out, I put both hands in my pockets to cover up my shaky left one. I didn’t want the people there to think I was weak. I also didn’t want them to think I was intimidated being with them. How stupid is that? Jesus performed His seventh miracle when He met a guy who had a problem with his hand. I doubt it was from malaria, but maybe he had his hands in his pockets too. Shame, embarrassment, and feeling inferior will do this to us. Jesus said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’”

Bob then said, “Jesus could have fixed the man’s hand while it was in his pocket, but He didn’t. I think Jesus wanted this guy to take the kind of action I hope you’ll be willing to take. I realized I’ve spent my whole life reaching out my strong hand to people. It seems counterintuitive, but if you’re doing the same, it might be getting in the way of your ambitions. Here’s a suggestion that will work every time. Reach out a weaker, more authentic hand to people you meet. Sure, it’s easy to reach out your strong hand, the one that is confident and steady. It takes a little more guts to reach out your weak hand. It’s the kind of move that will shape your character while making you more available to the people and things that matter most in your life.”

So, will you let God shape your character while making you more available to the people and things that matter most in your life? Will you?

Yes, yes