SIZE OR SIGNIFICANCE?

For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth – Zechariah 4:10

Which is more important when it comes to our assignments for God – size or significance; scope or substance?

We live in a culture where bigger is better, where material possession is the measure of prosperity and size is the standard of success. It takes strength of character and conviction to resist this popular trend, especially for someone who may be presently labouring in a small ministry or on a seemingly insignificant assignment.

We live in a society where success is defined in terms of fame and fortune, grandeur and greatness, popularity and power, riches and rewards, and luxuries and wealth. These are the world’s symbols of success and her portraits of prosperity. Joshua 1:8 however describes God’s kind of success: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” The qualifying adjective “good” implies that there can be some similitude of success, which when stripped of all external coverings, outward facade and deceptive ‘make-up’ would reveal their core ugliness, stink and emptiness.

Success is more than loads of currency in the bank; diplomas and awards on the wall; trophies in the case; or professional honours on the shelf. Good success is God’s gift to those who honour, obey and value His Word (Joshua 1:8).

The true secret of greatness and success lies in knowing what God has assigned and gifted you to do. The true pursuit of success always goes beyond success to significance, irrespective of the magnitude of material gain – whether massive or meagre! Truly successful people are more focused on leaving a living legacy than a will full of wealth. Jesus cared about individuals and His small flock of disciples as much as for the multitudes. He was as passionate in teaching the few as He was in preaching to large crowds. He delivered the demoniac in an isolated waste-land and healed the sick in open crusade fields. He did not panic or become anxious when the audience dwindled and many of the disciples backed out: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66).

Little is much when God is in it! In God’s sight and by His standards, substance is superior to size; significance to scope! SIZE is nothing; SUBSTANCE is everything. Whether you’re shepherding a small family or flock, serving on a remote field, leading a tiny ministry team, or teaching a small Bible class, what is important is your faithfulness and sincere heart of service. Your service is more than a steppingstone to greatness. It is GREATNESS!