little things

Today is October 11, 2012.

Or - 10/11/12.

Pretty cool, huh.

10/11/12.

Little things.

Little things matter.

Walt Disney once said, "always remember that this whole thing was started by a mouse."

Dennis Rainey once said, "People who say that small things don't bother them have never slept in a room with a mosquito."

Here's what I know:  it's the little things in our walk with Christ that will either add to our growth in Him or take us away.

The continuation of spiritual growth in my life are always the result of the little things that I do that many think make no difference at all.

Reading the Word daily.  Have constant conversations with God throughout the day.  Being open to sharing my faith with someone when the occasion arises.

Little things.

Bruce Barton has said, "sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences comes from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things."

My growth in Christ is always incremental, a step at a time.  No one becomes "mature" over night.  It is in the little things that I grow.  No one was ever called to God to a high position who did not lay the foundation of that call in courageous faithfulness to the small details of a walk with Christ. 

Channing Pollock has written, "No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things."

Conversely, a pilgrimage away from God begins with the little things as well.  Dwelling on something that shouldn't be watched.  Listening to something that shouldn't be listening to.

We think, "just this once," "it won't hurt anybody," but it is in the little things where a person begins a downward descent from God.  Missing one service.  Not giving one week.  Not praying throughout the day.

The beginnings of unfaithfulness are always the little things that we think will make no difference.

Do you long to be mature in Christ?  Do you long to grow in your walk with Him?  Pay attention to the little things.

Success is often reached through the little stuff.

When Pat Riley coached the Los Angeles Lakers form 1982 to 1990, the team won four NBA championships.  In taking over the New York Knicks in 1991, Riley inherited a team with a losing record.

But the Knicks seemed able to play above their abilities and even gave the eventual champions, the Chicago Bulls, their hardest competition in the play-offs.

How did Riley do it?  He says his talent lies in attention to detail.  For example, every NBA team studies videotapes and compiles statistics to evaluate player's game performances.  But Riley's use of these tools is more comprehensive than that of his rivals.

"We measure areas of performance that are often ignored:  jumping in pursuit of every rebound even if you don't get it, swatting at every pass, diving for loose balls, letting someone smash into you in order to draw a foul."

After each game, these "effort" statistics are punched into a computer.  "Effort," Riley explains, "is what ultimately separates journeyman players from impact players.  Knowing how well a player executes all these little things is the key to unlocking career-best performances."

So, I encourage you to pay attention to the little things today.

Just a thought for a Thursday.