In the Little Things

Hi everyone, welcome to August!

It's been a while! Sorry for the radio silence, but we're back! Things have been pretty busy, but the Holy Spirit is teaching me to be consistent and more disciplined, as you'll see in today's word... Be blessed!

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When many of us think about ways we want to grow spiritually, we typically have big expectations: unlocking a new spiritual gift, overcoming a long-standing area of weakness, breaking a stronghold - all of which are good things to seek. But our relationship with Jesus and our progress in our walk are not only defined by the mile markers, but also by the steps we take every day. It's each step, when added up, that gets us to those goals. It's in the small things, y'all!

(Random fact: it takes an average of about 2000 steps to walk a mile!)

Likewise, in the fruits of the Spirit. Fruits do not simply appear on a tree overnight. The flowers first form, then there's fertilization, cell division and expansion, maturation, and then ripening. Of course, nothing is impossible with God, but most of us will not just wake up one morning, suddenly gentle and patient, after going to bed angry and volatile.

For me, one fruit I've been working with the Holy Spirit to cultivate is self-control. Initially, I was thinking about resisting temptations to "big" sins like sexual immorality and falsehood, but if I can't tell my flesh no when it wants to stay up past my bedtime to watch more TV, how will I be able to say no when I am faced with a much stronger and much more damaging temptation? So now, I go to bed when the Holy Spirit tells me it's time, and am learning to value the rest God designed for my body over the way I prefer to "relax," which is lying down on the couch and watching TV. It's the little things.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus Himself says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."

Your little thing could be that you need to sleep less, stop procrastinating assignments, speak up and not be timid at work or school, because it is all those skills and characteristics that you forge now that you will apply to speaking up boldly for the gospel, praying fervently, or obeying when God gives you a mission. Do you need to grow in love and patience? Then maybe be mindful of how you comment, even about fictional characters in the shows and movies you watch.

What fruits do you need to be cultivating now? What are the little things you need to do to address that? Pray, make specific commitments, and ask the Holy Spirit to walk with you in it.

May the grace of God be with you and be sufficient as you continue your journey.