” . . . small acts of faithfulness, repeated over and over, are important. They count. This is the legacy of faithful living. And sometimes, in a season of faithfulness, the power of God breaks through in remarkable ways.”- Jeff Manion
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ “- Luke 11:1 (NIV)
On Day 11 (“The Highlight Reel”) of Dream Big, Think Small Jeff Manion notes the beauty of the highlight reel or clip. Because the highlight clip cuts out the tedium and speeds us to a unique moment of awe. As a result, Pastor Manion laments, we’re unawed by the ordinary.
Above all, something’s missing from the highlight reel. That’s the disciplined work required to make such routine plays, like Patrick Kane’s stickhandling, routine. In addition, Jeff observes, this propensity to skip ahead to action shots pertains to Bible reading as well. For example, consider:
- young shepherd boy David squaring off against the warrior Goliath
- Elijah on Mount Carmel calling down fire from heaven
- the prophet Daniel in a pit of lions
Most noteworthy, Daniel’s stint in the lion’s den transpired near the end of this journey. It served as the apex of a lifetime of integrity and persistent daily prayer. Furthermore, Jesus unleashed moments of profound power in the midst of everyday faithfulness. Jeff finds this reassuring, since much of the faithful life lacks excitement.
Finally, Pastor Manion encourages using a journal to meet with God daily. Hence, he writes:
“Sitting with an open notebook and inviting God into our day . . . can be a powerful tool in cultivating and maintaining a healthy heart. I challenge you to remain faithful with the small stuff and trust God in the midst of the mundane. Stretch. Run your laps. Practice your free throws. Trust God to provide the highlights.”
Today’s question: What repeated small acts of faithfulness inspire a legacy of faithful living? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “
