Don't Discount What Seems Small
In 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell spoke into his newly invented telephone, saying those now famous words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I need you,” his assistant in another room heard and understood it. That was a wonderful accomplishment, one that formed the foundation of today’s telecommunications industry. But do you think Bell ever dreamed that with today’s smartphone we can text, play music or a game, take pictures, check email, find a restaurant, surf the internet, or watch a movie? Bell would be in awe of this marvelous device that we hold in our hands, but we take it for granted and don’t think twice about how it’s impacting our lives.
In much the same way, think about the simple things that you will do today and consider the possible effects. When you overlook an offense, that’s a simple thing, but do you realize the effects it may have? What happens when you extend forgiveness to a loved one rather than hold a grudge? When you take responsibility for the love and care of your family and go to work with a good attitude even though your workplace is a difficult one, do you know the difference it will make in your children’s lives, your coworkers’ lives, or in your own life today? Might it have an extended effect for the next week, or year, or perhaps even a lifetime?
The apostle Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Too often we are looking for some big assignment from God when He has already laid out our assignments in the form of “good works” that are easy for us to discount or overlook. But if you’re faithfully doing the daily works that are already there for you to do, they are working in you and leading you to fulfill your destiny. We need to see these “good works” not just as our duties but see them for what they are—they are “good.” They are pleasing and honorable in God’s sight, they bring Him joy, they are shaping our lives by His handiwork, and they are impacting others in ways we can’t begin to know.
The truth is, we can’t see the ultimate effects of the “good works” we will do today any more than Bell saw what the telephone was going to become. But I can tell you that when you do the right thing today, you’ll have an effect that reaches further than you ever dreamed or imagined, and it could be for eternity!
In much the same way, think about the simple things that you will do today and consider the possible effects. When you overlook an offense, that’s a simple thing, but do you realize the effects it may have? What happens when you extend forgiveness to a loved one rather than hold a grudge? When you take responsibility for the love and care of your family and go to work with a good attitude even though your workplace is a difficult one, do you know the difference it will make in your children’s lives, your coworkers’ lives, or in your own life today? Might it have an extended effect for the next week, or year, or perhaps even a lifetime?
The apostle Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Too often we are looking for some big assignment from God when He has already laid out our assignments in the form of “good works” that are easy for us to discount or overlook. But if you’re faithfully doing the daily works that are already there for you to do, they are working in you and leading you to fulfill your destiny. We need to see these “good works” not just as our duties but see them for what they are—they are “good.” They are pleasing and honorable in God’s sight, they bring Him joy, they are shaping our lives by His handiwork, and they are impacting others in ways we can’t begin to know.
The truth is, we can’t see the ultimate effects of the “good works” we will do today any more than Bell saw what the telephone was going to become. But I can tell you that when you do the right thing today, you’ll have an effect that reaches further than you ever dreamed or imagined, and it could be for eternity!