Little things can make big differences. A dash of cinnamon, too much or too little salt can drastically change a recipe.

As moms, we know that little people can make big messes, throw bigger tantrums, and occupy the biggest part of our hearts!

More than anything we can see on earth, the little things are a part of the kingdom of God:

 “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Matthew 13:31-33 NIV

 In a society of “bigger is better,” we must stop and reassess. Jesus compares God’s kingdom to the tiniest mustard seed and a little yeast yet they are able to grow into something large.

What the Bible Says About Small Things

There are numerous mentions in the Bible of God taking small things and using it for big purposes. We are going to focus on 3 of these instances to teach us some valuable lessons.

Small Creatures

Agur in Proverbs 30:24-28 NIV :

“Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:
 Ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;
 hyraxes are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;
 locusts have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;
 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.“

God uses small things to display His power and to shame those who are wise in their own eyes.

He is Lord over creation and has made small things to accomplish great purposes. There was no human hand involved in the wisdom of these small creatures.

Small Beginnings

In Zechariah 4:10, he says,”Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

God has begun a “good work in you.” (Phil. 1:6) It may seem slow and there may be days that you question exactly what is good in your life. However, God is molding, teaching, and preparing you for great things.

Charles Spurgeon encourages us, “God accepts your little works if they are done in faith in his dear Son. God will give success to your little works: God will educate you by your little works to do greater works; and your little works may call out others who shall do greater works by far than ever you shall be able to accomplish.”

Small Catalysts

A catalyst is a person or thing that suddenly and forcefully moves an event. This is the perfect way to describe the parable we discussed in the introduction where Jesus likens God’s kingdom to a mustard seed or a little yeast.

Both things start small but end up changing to make a large impression. Birds are able to take shelter in the large branches of the mustard tree. The yeast works through the dough so that many loaves of bread are used to feed hungry people.

In Matthew 17:20 NIV, Jesus says, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Our “faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” (1 John 5:4) If we just have the smallest amount, Jesus says nothing will be impossible!

Let’s have the kind of faith that is a catalyst to move mountains!

How Small Things Can Make a Big Impact

Think about how God has used small things in your own life. A encouraging word from a friend when you are down, a lyric from a song that has you worshiping the Lord all day, or cuddles and hugs from a little child that make your heart smile. I’m sure you could make your own list.

 Small things done in God’s way can make a BIG impact. We never know how He will use our mustard seed of faith to positively affect some one’s day, generously give, or start some one on the path to Jesus.

Elisha took the smallest amount of oil and little faith that the widow woman had and used it to save her and her son from destitution and death. (2 Kings 4)

The little boy with the loaves and fishes offered up his meager meal to Jesus and in the Lord’s hands, it was able to feed thousands! (Matthew 14)

Jesus poured into a group of only 12 men and 11 of them went on to “turn the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

What do you have to offer the Lord but yourself? In the concept of time and place, we are but a drop in the ocean. A small thing, we are, but God can and will use us for big things if we are willing to surrender and walk by faith.

Prayer Guide

-Thank you God that you use small things to accomplish big kingdom work.

-Forgive me when I doubt my faithfulness makes a difference.

-Lord, please open my eyes to see how small things can impact this world for your Glory.

-Jesus, help me not to despise small beginnings. Show me how to be faithful in little things.