"Small Matters"

I once heard it proposed that the way we handle really big challenges determines the course of our lives. I am sure that there is truth in this, but I am convinced that our response to small matters is actually far more consequential in the living of life for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines" (Song of Solomon 2:15).

There are so many small matters, and in relative terms, so few large. Trusting and obeying God in the every day and the mundane is therefore far more likely to determine the atmosphere of our hearts, and the path of our feet. Consistent and persistent relationship with Him is required if we are to walk with our Lord in the small matters. We ponder and apply His Word, pray as a matter of life rather than ritual, fellowship with likehearted believers, and view all things as the venue wherein God is working to reveal His glory in our lives. "He... worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:10-11).

We also recognize that our spiritual enemies are well aware that it is "the little foxes, that spoil the vines." Countless skirmishes await us in the mundane matters of life, but if we fail to recognize the significance of each moment, we will not "fight the good fight of faith" where the battle is most often waged (I Timothy 6:12). Minor irritations, every day chores, scheduling challenges, unexpected problems, physical issues, difficult people - such small matters form the battlefield whereupon the victory of the Lord Jesus can be revealed in glorious display. Or, we can fail to avail ourselves of His abiding and overcoming presence, and thus life our lives as if God is far away and Christ is not risen from the dead. Our enemies are ever at work to cause the latter tragedy. We must be ever at work through the Holy Spirit to ensure the triumph of the former.

Our Lord is with us and within us if we have believed, and no issue is without His involvement. The small matters of the day are therefore not really small at all. They are huge. This day will bring many to our doorstep, and recognizing their significance will prepare us to know and respond to our Lord in ways that we might otherwise miss. The little foxes may potentially spoil the vines, but for God's trusting sons and daughters in Christ, the little choices to trust and obey will prevent that from happening, and even more, reveal the glory of the living and true Vine with whom we are inseparably united.

"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(I Corinthians 10:31)

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
(II Corinthians 9:8)