It was Andy Warhol who once said "You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you, suddenly thrill you."
What did he mean when he said this? Is this still relevant today?
In Luke chapter 16 Jesus is talking about the Parable of the Shrewd Manager. Verses 10–11 state, "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?"
Being faithful
This faithful principle is still very applicable in every aspect of our lives.
Consider the building of a house: made up of thousands of minute details coming together. Imagine if the builder cut corners, didn't measure bricks or the rods holding the frame of the house together? It wouldn't stand for very long, and if it does, it wouldn't be very strong. I sure don't want to live in a house like this.
Consider marriage: journeying through life together, a choice to do the ups and downs together—regardless of the circumstance. Imagine if he/she didn't ever say "thankyou" or, "I'm sorry,", or remember birthdays or anniversaries. These seemingly insignificant and little items may just add up quick smart.
Why do we forget the little things?
Value has everything to do with how we spend our lives. What you (and I) put our time, money and energy (no matter how big or small) towards is what we value. Think about the time you spend each week at work, study/vocational, relationships, sleeping, health etc. It all matters.
The Message translation puts Romans chapter 12, verses 1–2 like this:
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.
Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Regardless of what we do, whether it's relational, financial, mental or physical, it comes down to how we see the little things.
Do not despise small beginnings
In Zechariah chapter 4, verse 10 it says, "For whosoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel." In this case the Jews were looking down on the second temple being rebuilt and the verse highlights God choosing the weak and unlikely to bring about great things (see Hebrews 11).
If it wasn't for Noah's 'yes' he would not have built the ark that saved his family.
If it wasn't for Abraham's 'yes' he would not have been known as the father of nations, whereby descendants are as numerous as the stars. If it wasn't for Moses' 'yes' he would not have left Egypt and passed through the Red Sea as on dry land.
If it wasn't for David's 'yes' he would not have been known, thousands of years later, as the man after God's own heart.
I could go on with numerous examples across the Bible and history, of people who have been faithful with little.
We can understand the importance but it all comes down to our daily lives. This year, I am choosing to do the little things well, taking check each day.
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney-based writer who is choosing daily to ensure the little things matter.
Meenal Chandra's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html