Small Beginnings

By Heather Broughman

“Do not despise the day of small beginning, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,” Zechariah 4:10. This is a part of a message that an angel spoke concerning Zerubbabel, an important leader from the tribe of Judah and a descendant of David. He was tasked with rebuilding the Jewish temple, from the first stone laid to the last. But in the beginning stages the word of the Lord came through this Angel saying do not despise Small Beginnings or in other words humble beginnings. 

There can be so much pride attached to the completion of something. When we finally make it through our reading list for the year, when we hit some milestone goals we have for ourselves. It’s that sense of satisfaction, the thrill of accomplishment. But when you’re just laying the 4th or 5th stone needed to rebuild an entire Temple that sense of celebration and excitement is nowhere to be found and instead there can be discouragement or the attitude that says, “why even bother.” However, God calls us to move in the opposite Spirit concerning Small Beginnings. Take another look at that verse. The instruction is to not despise Small Beginnings. Why? Because the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. God’s heart and his thoughts towards us are important. If our hearts and our thoughts do not line up with his own, then they need to be brought into alignment. While we may be concerned and over analyze the situation, thinking that we don’t have what it takes to complete the task at hand, God is more concerned with our willingness of heart to even start or say yes to the thing that he’s asked of us.

I felt so stunned one day when I heard the Lord say to me, “I never said that I was concerned with you getting this right. That’s not what I asked of you. I am more concerned with you simply saying yes to what I’m asking of you. You may experience setbacks and you may have moments where you don’t exactly get it right. but that’s not what I’m after. I am more concerned with your heart and with your willingness to obey. That’s all I’m asking of you right now. Let me handle the rest. I just want to know if you will do what I’m asking of you?“ It’s not God putting unrealistic expectations or pressure on us that isn’t necessary. That often comes from us having a misunderstanding of who God is and his thoughts towards us. I had forgotten that the Lord rejoices when the work begins. I didn’t think about how I would be changed from encountering his grace and his mercy even in my failing. I overlooked the fact that in my lack and imperfection, God ends up with the glory.

Maybe you’re far from being who you want to be. Perhaps when you look at yourself and where you’re at you see how far you have to go and not how far you’ve come. Remember God’s heart. He doesn’t wait till the work is completed, He rejoices to see the work begin. Take sometime with the Lord today, unhurried time. Ask Him to shift your perspective, to open your eyes to see things the way He does. Thank Him for the small beginnings in your life…because SMALL STEPS ARE STILL PROGRESS!