Small Moments, Big Impact
It’s no secret we are living in a fast-paced world. We instantly have enormous amounts of information at our fingertips at any given moment. We have seemingly unending to-do lists. We continually strive to find a quick-fix when things don’t happen according to our plan. But God’s timing is not our timing. Oftentimes God works gradually to mature our faith. Our love and knowledge of Jesus comes through a lifetime of small moments, not necessarily big leaps. More often than not, our faith in Jesus comes from a lifestyle of Bible reading, prayer, service, and obedience.Discipleship is not meant to be a quick-fix. As parents and leaders, we need to remember God’s wisdom in the slow. Spiritual growth often occurs gradually over time rather than a series of big leaps. Consider this: ten minutes a day talking about Jesus, six days a week, about 50 weeks a year adds up to about 50 hours a year. That’s over two days’ worth of talking about Jesus. Has anyone ever talked about Jesus for two days straight? Probably not. But taking a small amount of time each day slowly makes a big impact on faith development. Add in Sunday worship together as a family and serving together and you’ve increased the impact! Recently I read a great description of God’s wisdom in the slow:“The God who is growing our children’s faith is the same God who grows a 300-foot redwood over seven centuries, creating something strong and beautiful at a rate invisible to the human eye. So perhaps it’s no surprise that God-given means of spiritual growth are often small and unspectacular.”Small amounts of time. Ordinary, everyday routines. Be intentional each day to find small moments to talk about God with your children. Remind them of His unending love. Marvel at His creation. Thank Him for His blessings. Ask them how they’ve seen Jesus at work that day.“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7.