The Weekly Encourager – December 14, 2018 – Little Things Mean a Lot

Today's Encourager features a guest writer, Davide Marney. He writes about The Small Jewel of Christmas.

"Recently a good friend of mine did me a favor, for no other reason than they knew I would like it. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Happens every day. Friends do nice things for their friends all the time.

"But it just so happens that in this case, the favor was totally unlooked for, in an area that I never expected to experience again.

"Imagine walking out onto a forested mountain slope recently flattened by some huge natural catastrophe such as a volcanic eruption. Everything around you as far as your eye can see is moonscape, complete devastation. Then, as you step over a tree, you come upon a single flower growing in a crook of a branch.

"At that moment you realize in a flash that this entire mountainside is going to be covered in forest again. That one, little flower is not just a sign of hope, it’s proof. That flower is a promise, an unstoppable promise of what will be.

"The Small is the Large.

"The entire universe, the largest thing we can ever know, is in fact made up of the smallest particles. The creation of the very first particle is the real miracle of creation. Out of it flowed all that we are and know. From nothing to something.

"This is the point of a Baby Jesus. He is the small jewel of Christmas, the unstoppable promise of what will be. The seed is the future of the tree. You can hold it in the palm of your hand, even hide it deep in the soil, but it will grow and cover the earth.

"Every small act of kindness is a jewel. To restore one relationship; to speak one kind word; to grant one mercy; to forgive one slight; these are the small jewels of Christmas. These are the seeds that are planted by God within our hearts.

"Merry Christmas, everyone. May you shine like stars in the smallest – and most meaningful -- of ways."

- By Davide Marney

What my husband wrote ties in well with last week's sermon by Pastor James Forsyth. In his exposition of Micah 5:1-5, James noted the contrast between little Bethlehem, an irrelevant town in the middle of nowhere, and the largeness of Jesus, who came to be our Shepherd, Security, and Peace. God takes what is little and uses it for great things, to show bright flashes of His glory.

While listening to this sermon, I thought of a dear friend whose life, by God's providence, is particularly challenging right now. I wrote her what I hoped would be words of encouragement. But then I thought of several other people who are going through their own difficult trials. And somehow, the Christmas holidays seem to magnify their impact.

Here's what I wrote to my friend; see if it applies to you. "Pondering Bethlehem's insignificance, I immediately thought of your situation.  You've indicated that you feel that way now – that no one listens to you or is aware of what you desperately need, that you feel invisible, unappreciated, even unloved.  

"But, viewed in the light of Eternity, you have been chosen to share in the sufferings of Christ!  He also was neglected, ignored, misunderstood, betrayed, mistreated, cursed, despised, and rejected, and by His own family and close friends!  Hearing this sermon reminded me that you have been given the great privilege to follow in His footsteps. 

"Therefore I say God has some great plan for your life to be an influence which we cannot begin to fathom at this time.  You will shine forth the light of Christ from the very suffering you endure now.  You will be His witness.  Believe it.  Your very 'insignificance' in the eyes of the world is what will make your testimony bright.  You will NEVER be insignificant to God.  You are one who is beloved by the King of Glory.  You will give glory to God and sing to His praise, even if you have to croak it out with your dying breath. 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.'  Believe it.  You have been crucified with Christ.  You are no longer living for yourself, but for the One who loves you with an everlasting love."

This Christmas, I am praying that we all may see the Light in the midst of darkness, the Large in the midst of the mundane. I have this quote by Helen Keller on my frig: "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Press on, noble saints! Keep on doing what is right, and don't be discouraged. Read God's word and pray each day, then tackle the To-Do list. Your little day has a much larger purpose for a much larger God.

God is faithful,
j

As always, I welcome your comments below.

To hear the sermon by Pastor James Forsyth, visit
http://mcleanpres.org/sermon/2-the-bethlehem-candle/