Starting small

If you have a vision and passion for something in the future, and you’re stuck in the present reality, these 5 things might help you take the next step.

__

‘Don’t despise the day of small beginnings’, is a verse in Zechariah (4.10) often quoted by Christians to encourage themselves and others about the big things that God is doing even though it may look small at that present moment. It’s helpful to consider the context of the passage (and any passage) to derive an even fuller picture of what’s going on.

For the sake of time here, it’s just worth rehearsing how Zechariah was a prophet around the time that God’s people returned to their home after being exiled in Babylon. This is around 500 years before Jesus was born. Zechariah, a contemporary of another prophet called Haggai, was raised up as a mouth piece for God to both challenge and encourage God’s people. Challenge them to remain true to God, encourage them to trust God’s faithfulness. In fact Zechariah’s name actually means ‘the Lord remembers’. An apt reminder for the people at the time who in part may have wondered if God was still with them as they rebuilt the temple.

“ Zechariah ... was raised up as a mouth piece for God to both challenge and encourage God’s people. Challenge them to remain true to God, encourage them to trust God’s faithfulness.”

‘Don’t despise the day of small beginnings’ God says to them. Even though the temple needed rebuilding, even though there was lots to do, even though it wasn’t quite as expected, don’t despise the small beginnings. Don’t hold them in ‘contempt’ (another way of translating the word ‘despise). Don’t make God’s plans a ‘laughing-stock’ (again, another way of translating the word ‘despise’), because if God has said it, he will do it.

So often we can look at the small thing in front of us and compare it with the big picture that we’re aiming for and feel our faith draining out through our feet. ‘How could we ever get there?’ we think to ourselves. What can our small offering do?

Does any of that sound familiar?

Well, let me refresh our memories about the way God’s Kingdom to seem to work. Because there’s something in the economy of God’s Kingdom that seems to use the little, the small, and the weak, in a disproportionate way. For example:

-It was the murderer and outcast with a speech impediment that was sent to confront the global leader
-It was the forgotten and youngest brother who became the king
-It was couple who had the smallest chance of ever conceiving that became the parents of a nation
-It was the smallest of seeds in the parable that became the largest of garden plants
-It was the boy’s loaves and fishes that fed the multitude
-It was the refugee baby; the radical from that rough place Nazareth, who became the crucified messiah that saved the world.

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.

And there are examples that we can see in culture that point to this principle. All of the multi-billion or trillion dollar companies listed in the image above started somewhere, and often in a garage or a humble beginning of some kind.

“It was the refugee baby; the radical from that rough place Nazareth, who became the crucified messiah that saved the world.”

Of course the question smacks us between the eyes: What if these founders gave up before the journey came to fruition? What if all the set backs and discouragements along the way caused their teams to give up and throw in the towel?

God may or may not be calling you to found a next multi-trillion dollar company, but he is inviting you to join in with his Kingdom work using the gifts, skills, experience and unique shape that he has given you, and it will be for his glory.

There may be some reading this and wondering how they will ever get to the promised land, the final destination that God has spoken to them about. How will the small thing in front of you ever get to be the thing that God inspired you with?

Some of you need to hear that ‘the 'Lord remembers’. He hasn’t forgotten. He didn’t make a mistake. Trust in him, and remember these five things:

1.It will be ‘by my Spirit’

In the preceding verses, God has said that it will ‘not be by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God’ (Zech 4.6). This is such a great reminder to us. We can put in the hard work and the long hours. We can come up with the greatest ever strategic plan, or be the most amazing network, but until we make room for God to play his part, it will simply be dry and lifeless bones (check out Ezekiel 37 for a graphic image about dry bones). Review where you’re carrying to much, worrying too much, or doing too much. I need to remind myself of this too. Remember - he who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 

2.It will be ‘one step at a time’

You see a glimpse of the vision, the end goal, but you are right at the beginning. God doesn’t expect you to take an impossible giant leap to the final destination (unless he makes it abundantly clear that he’s going to make the impossible possible). Much more likely, which has been my experience, that he invites us to take a next step for him. Right now there will be actionable steps that you can think of which will take you nearer to where God is taking you. Write them down, then plan them into your schedule so you know when you’re going to do them.

3.It will be ‘in community’

I’ve often said that the Christian faith and calling is not a lone pursuit. This isn’t a solo-sport. It’s a team game, which means that God will be inviting people around you to encourage you, pray for you and help you so look out for them. Some of them will come to you, and others you’ll need to go to them so have a quick think even now who it is that you can reach out to and ask for any of: 1.practical help, 2.spiritual support, 3.wise counsel, 4.strategic direction. God will make sure you have exactly the right people around you to find out where the next steps are and it will be a reminder that God knows what he’s doing, and that we’re not ultimately in control.

4.It will be Glorious, not Google

As you ‘remember’, like Zechariah, that God is on the throne, that ultimately he is in control, that he invites us to partner with him in the great Kingdom work of renewal and recreation, and that he’s given us a few things to steward, it reminds us that we’re not about trying to build the next big thing, we’re about seeking the Kingdom of God and giving him glory. As you step out in faith it’s a declaration that He alive. As you humble yourself before your friends and ask for prayer, it’s a declaration that He is good. As you hold things lightly, it’s a declaration of worship. We’re called to a glorious life of obedience and blessing.

5.It will be the Alpha and Omega, not Apple and Omega

When you’re starting something new, remember that Jesus is also called the ‘beginning and the end’. He is the Alpha and the omega. It’s hard to think of bit tech companies like Apple not last for centuries. But Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. As you step out and start something new he goes before you and he will lead you to the right place. Trust the process.

Don’t forget that success isn’t building a trillion dollar business, success is being faithful with the things God has given us. Paradoxically, this may look like founding a trillion dollar company. On the other hand, it may also look like years in obscurity. It’s a life of worship and He is the audience, and it’s up to Him where he takes you.

Let’s hear your thoughts on any of this? What are you going to take away from this article and try out or do differently as a result?