Small Steps

I want my life to have made a difference for eternity.  I want to impact this world for Jesus.  I want to partner with God in such a way that the kingdom of God is made more evident here on this earth.  I don’t really even know what that looks like, but I know if you ask what I want to do and be and achieve with my life, that’s it.

Listen to those words…make a difference for eternity, impact this world, partner with God…  Those sound like some pretty big goals, right?

Here’s what I am learning, though.  In God’s upside down economy things are often just the opposite of what we might originally think.  In this kingdom where the first is last and the greatest is the serves, achieving big things most often involves the smallest steps.  It’s our little everyday moments that change the world.  Our daily willingness to be people who love God and love people is what shakes this world to its’ very core. 

In Galatians, Paul is chastising the believers in Galatia because they’ve been led astray by false teachers and they are not living according to the grace of the gospel anymore.

Paul says this in Galatians 5:7-9, “You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!  A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise!”

Paul is telling them that believing even a little of this false teaching will corrupt their view of the gospel and change how they live and show Jesus to the world.

But listen to the remedy in Galatians 5:13-14.  “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.””

I think Paul is illustrating something important here.  Our little thoughts, our little deeds, and our little words matter.  A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise.

Paul is saying the Galatians wrong beliefs have affected their lives and their witness for Christ.  Their words, actions, and deeds weren’t pointing people to Jesus’ love anymore. 

We have to guard our hearts and minds because out of them flow our thoughts, words, and actions.  Our thoughts, words, and actions have the power to point people away from Jesus or towards him. 

The opposite is also true.  A little good has the potential to change everything.  Remember, a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise.  Our words and our actions matter.  They have influence.  They have impact.  They can change the world by making the kingdom of God with its’ priorities and principles more evident on earth.

Paul, quoting Jesus, reminds us that in order to have the biggest impact, we can take the small step of choosing to use our thoughts, words, and actions to love.  “…through love serve one another.  For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.””

Every day, in every moment of our everyday lives, we can take small steps that point toward Jesus by loving God and then letting that love motivate us to love people.  If you want to live a life that matters for eternity, take those small steps.  A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise.

Prayer

God, help us to take the small steps in the middle of our everyday lives to love you and love others.  Let our thoughts, words, and actions point those around us toward your kingdom principles and priorities.  We want our lives to have eternal impact.  Let our lives reflect you and draw people toward you.  Amen.

Scripture Meditation

Galatians 5:13-14

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

Journal Reflection

Think through your average day.  Are there any situations, people, or circumstances where love might not be your first response?  How might you guard your heart and mind against any thinking that would lead you away from a loving word or action?  Can you take a small step towards a response that shows love for God and love for people instead?

Practice

Galatians 5:9 is a simple verse and easy to remember. “A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise!”  Memorize this verse and when you’re tempted to think, speak, or act in a way that is unloving, pause and recall this verse.  Make the decision to take a small step of love instead.