What If I Miss It?

Small Opportunities Can Make a Big Difference

I stood in line at the grocery store scrolling through social media while I waited. My mind was so distracted that I didn’t see the tired mom right in front of me. I didn’t notice that most of her groceries were already bagged and she was back in line again to purchase 2 gallons of milk that she had forgotten the first time around. I didn’t notice that her young children were impatient and cranky as they waited.

This mom was ready to make her small purchase with a nutrition assistance card when the cashier told her that she couldn’t take the card and would have to go to another register for the transaction. Before I realized what was happening, she had abandoned her 2 gallons of milk and walked away looking frustrated and discouraged.

When I left the store that day, I felt so ashamed. I had just missed an opportunity to minister to this young woman. To show her what the love of Jesus looks like by blessing her from my abundance. I robbed us both of that blessing simply because I was not paying attention to what was going on in the world around me. I chose to escape reality and pass the time in a virtual world rather than connecting with the real people standing right in front of me.

Have you ever been so distracted with unimportant things that you neglected to see the needs of others God has placed in your path?

Many times we do this same thing when we are seeking the purpose God has for us. We can get so consumed by the search that we look past those small moments when God wants to use us right where we are. God may have big plans for our lives, but He also wants us to be faithful in small acts of obedience and kindness along the way.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus says, “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.” If we aren’t living with our eyes wide open, searching for the little ways God is calling us to be faithful in our daily lives, He will not give us greater responsibilities.

The Lord reminds me of this young mom often. He doesn’t want me to forget how I felt when I missed an opportunity to be used by Him in an ordinary moment. We are placed here to do the work of the Lord by serving others. So, let’s keep our eyes wide open to see those who need us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Maybe all those small things add up to become the larger purpose we were seeking all along.

Reflection

What are some of the small tasks that you do every day that you often consider unimportant and ordinary?
How do these tasks serve a larger purpose for other people in your life?
Share a time when you were so busy seeking something big that you missed some small things along the way. How would you respond differently of you could do it again?

Goals

Write three specific small things that you can do to serve others in your life this week.

“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.”

(Luke 16:10 NLT)

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

(Zechariah 2:13a NLT)