LeadTip #18 Small Beginnings
Small Beginnings
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10
My dad gave me a tiny shoot off of a Japanese maple tree. It is now one of the most beautiful trees in my yard. It took time to grow, about 10 years to rise from 6 inches to 8 feet tall. It needed replanting, watering, fertilizing and care. But the final result was worth the time and effort.
Our church started with 11 people. It was a seed of faith that developed over time into a congregation of thousands. With an abundance of prayer, hard work, perseverance, persistence, time and great sacrifice, a seed became a plant that became a tree of life for the work of God to prosper. All of this takes leadership, those willing to be the first partakers of the sacrifice, work and disciplines of faith and action.
Dreams and visions often start with tiny seed thoughts planted by the Holy Spirit. One of the smallest of seeds, a mustard seed, turns into a large mustard tree. Do not forsake small beginnings. Do not let a desire for instantaneous results cause you to lose hope in your dreams and endeavors. It took Thomas Edison 1000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb.
Fruit does not just appear out of nowhere. It takes time to mature and ripen and the more nourishment (attention and work) given the greater and healthier the crop. You will reap what you sow. Do not get disgruntled and disheartened if it takes more time for your dream and vision to come to pass than expected . Do not despise small beginnings!
