Years ago, my wife Laura and I decided to hike to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park without ever training. Let’s just start off by saying this together, “That was really stupid!” Yeah, we realize that now.
If you don’t know, the hike is about fifteen miles of switchbacks with about five thousand feet of elevation change. It’s truly not for beginners. We should have at least walked up and down the driveway a few times before we left.
I am proud to say that we finished. Even though we had to start in the dark and finish in the dark, we made it there and back again inside of sixteen hours. But boy, we were exhausted… for about a month and a half.
The lesson we learned: get ready for the big hill by practicing on smaller hills first.
Let’s put it another way—you must be faithful with the small things before you tackle the big things.
In fact, that’s exactly what Jesus said: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10)
The real issue is that we all have the same problem. It’s the Half Dome or bust mentality.
It’s the attitude that says, I want to go for the big things and totally ignore the small things.
But do you want to know the truth? God doesn’t bless that mentality. He blesses the person who is faithful with the small things.
Do you know why? Because it’s in the small things where God gets us ready for the big things. It’s in the little day-to-day attitudes, conversations, and secret moments where God works on us the most. It’s His training ground.
Too often, we fudge on the small things, thinking it’s okay as long as it gets us to the big one. Don’t let that be you. That is not a godly mentality.
Instead:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
In other words, serve God in the small things and:
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
P.S. – Even if you’re unsure about God, visit Yosemite—it’s hard not to see His handiwork there.
Think it over:
- What “small things” in your life might God be using to prepare you for something bigger?
- Have you ever been tempted to rush into something big without first being faithful in the small steps? What was the result?
- How can you shift your mindset to see everyday tasks as opportunities to serve and honor God?
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