Even the Smallest Things

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

“Even the Smallest Things”

            “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”  Formally, the expanded explanation of this proverb is, “Do not give in to petty problems; don't worry about insignificant matters.”  Bill, a friend of mine has repeatedly told me in the past, “Doug, don’t worry about things over which you have no control.”  Just like the initial proverb, this is easier said than done, isn’t it?

            So, what should we do?  Should we focus all of our energy on the “big rocks” in our life.  In a past life I taught a course for the State of Arkansas called “Time Management.”  Making a plan for our day, our week, our month is so important lest time escapes from us.  I would teach the students to put the “big rocks” on the planner first.  These are the things that must be accomplished within the specified time, or the things which have a hard and set time such as meetings and appointments.  These may be things over which you have no control, such as times dictated by a boss.  After the “big rocks” are on the planner, then start filling in those blank spaces with items that should be done this week.  Then, if time permits and space is available, place things on your calendar that would be nice to complete but not at all necessary or pressing.  These are the A’s, B’s, and C’s of your calendar.

            In this manner of time management, the world (or at least Doug Walker the instructor) causes people to work from big, important tasks to the lesser important, to the least important.  Just like most things in the world, concepts like the above are contrary to God’s plan for us.

            God wants to be Lord of our life – our total life.  Too many times people go about their day-to-day activities without including God.  I truly believe this grieves God.  He created us to have a relationship with Him.  He created us to have a yearning to be close to Him.  Just look at Adam and Eve.  They included God in everything they did, well, except for that one thing!  God’s instruction to Adam and Eve?  Tend the garden, look after the little things and leave the big things to Him.

            In their book, Keeping God in the Small Stuff, authors Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz write, “Little is much when you see God in it.  God loves little details.  He has a name for every star.  He keeps track of every sparrow.  He even counts the hairs on your head.  If you only look for God in times of extraordinary need, you’re missing out on the day-to-day joy and wonder of watching God work in the small stuff of your life.”

            Our God is a God of details.  Look at the moon then look at the tiniest of insects!  If God is in the creation of each of those then He wants to be involved in our lives in the same way!  Remember, keep God involved even in the small stuff, turn the big stuff over to Him, then acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight and blessed.