home > Pastor’s Desk > 2024 > March 15th > From Little Things
The first time I heard the song “From Little Things, Big Things Grow” was in early 2008. I was trying to get my head around superannuation funds. I never knew of its writers – Paul Kelly and Carmody. Neither did I know it was originally a protest song. In my opinion, the original lyrics and melody bears no semblance to what we may consider protest today. Many will agree with me that it is now synonymous with Industry Super Funds. But its principles remain true in nearly every aspect of life.
A particular plant with broad perforated leaves captures my attention and gets me thinking about life every time I look at it. The “every time” here translate to everyday because, this indoor plant is stationed at the window, close to our dining table. I tried to google its name; Monstera comes close to how this plant looks. I have watched this plant for nearly a year, paying attention to the changes happening to it. At first, I was puzzled and wondered why my wife would buy such a potted plant. It was a single leaf jotting out of the soil, supported by a wooden stake. The closest I came to expressing my feeling was asking her where she got it from? Besides this, I kept my thought to myself. I did not question her wisdom. After months of tending, a sprout appeared away from the existing leaf. This grew quickly and one by one, other leaves emerged sequentially from the ‘new plant’. It’s now a thriving bush.
What we see and know were all spoken into being by God. When He created man (Adam and Eve), he gave them instructions about actions he wanted them to take.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.
Genesis 1: 27-28.
God commands his people to be fruitful and multiply. This command is manifest in all His creation. We see it around us and in every aspect of life. Consider the advances in science and technology, engineering, agriculture, medicine, creative arts. Clearly the Lord knows and sees the potential in a person’s life, which may not be so obvious to all. The single leaf would not and could not make its potential obvious to someone like me. It’s not the plant’s fault. I was limited and blinded from seeing it.
When David was anointed king, both the prophet about to anoint the future king, and David’s father, Jesse, were carried away by the outward appearances of the older sons. Thankfully, the prophet was in tune with God and able to respond to the Lord’s leading.
Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘are all your sons here?’
1Samuel 16:11
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1Samuel 16:7b
The young David would go on and do great things and leave a foundation upon which rich and wise King Solomon would thrive. A lineage the LORD chose to use in reaching out to humanity.
Hundreds of years later, the great persecutor of the early church had an encounter that changed his life. He went from being Saul, the accuser and murderer of the followers of Jesus Christ, to “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.”
When Paul tried to associate with other believers in the early stages after his conversion, the church was very skeptical and scared of him.
And all who heard him were amazed and said, “is this not the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priest?”
Acts 9: 21
When it comes to seeing people’s potentials, with regard to walking with the Lord, its probably harder when the individual is a prominent ‘anti-God’ person. Yet, our sovereign God sees beyond what we can appreciate. He can see and bring about the Pauls in Sauls. He has done it so many times in history and continues to do so today.
The original broad leaf of my potted plant looks tired, smaller, and dry at the edges. It seems the water and nutrients in the soil does not mean much to this aging leaf. Some say that getting old is no fun. But the alternative is surely not better. My aging plant reminds me of my own mortality as I grey. It brings to fore, the importance of making the most of the time I have as I journey through life.
It challenges me to know God – the source of my sustenance – more, and hopefully produce fruits in a manner that may seem effortless like the ‘mother leaf’ has done.
I can only imagine the sense of fulfilment my aging leaf has.
Amen.
Elder,
Ali
Let me know what you think below in the comment section and feel free to share this someone who might benefit from this Pastor’s Desk.
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This well-articulated post nudges us to develop our God-given potential and not overlook the power of taking little initial steps.
It reminds me of the popular saying, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”
Thanks for sharing, Ali.
“Our Sovereign God Sees Beyond What We Can Appreciated”. May God Almighty Keep Using You In His Vine Yard Through Christ Amen. Well Inspired By This Piece Of Write Up.
Thank you for the timely reminder of God’s ways. His plans are always good and taking the little steps are all part of his plans.
Some great thoughts.
Reminds me of, “Don’t despise the days of small beginnings!”
But the temptation to want to start BIG is all around us. We are often asked to come to a local church and disciple several 100 people in a couple of days!
But also God wants us to continue to bear fruit into old age.
It’s so easy to settle down and relax and have a feeling of achievement.
Some Good thoughts from you Elder Ali. Thanks
Thank you so much for this deep insight into God’s word. The essence of our being is for God to reveal Himself to us like he did to David and Saul( Paul) under different circumstances. Just a little step of faith and He shows up to make Himself strong on our behalf. To God be the glory.