Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

(I Cor. 4:2, NIV)

Though skeptical of his teenage son’s sudden determination to build bulging muscles, a father agreed to go with him to a local sporting goods store.  As they admired a set of weights, the son begged, “Please buy them for me and I promise I’ll use them every day.” 

“I don’t know, Michael. That’s a real commitment on your part.”  “Please, Dad?” 

“They’re not cheap either,” he added, still unsure.  “I’ll use ’em, Dad, I promise. You’ll see.”

Eventually, the father gave in, paid for the equipment, and headed for the door.  After a few steps, he heard his son behind him say, “What!  You mean I have to carry them to the car?”

That story makes me smile — and cringe — because it reminds me of myself when it comes to following Christ. Like Peter, I’m quick to make bold promises: “Even if everyone else abandons you, I never will… Even if I have to die with you…” (Matthew 26:33, 35, GW).  I imagine myself doing great, heroic things for the kingdom — preaching on distant shores, donating large sums of money, risking my life to stand firm for my faith.

But when it comes to the small, everyday acts of faithfulness, I often hesitate.

I hesitate to offer $5 in my pocket to someone in need. I hesitate to carve out a few minutes in the morning to pray.  I hesitate to forgive someone who wounded me deeply.  I hesitate to talk about Jesus in a conversation because it might make me feel uncomfortable. I hesitate to say, “I was wrong,” even when I know I was.

I claim to be ready for the big tests, but I often falter in the small ones. And yet, those small, daily choices reveal the depth of our commitment far more than the grand gestures we dream about.  God isn’t looking for those grand gestures — He’s looking for a heart that is consistent and obedient.  Not commitment in theory, but faithfulness in practice.

Prayer: Father, please forgive me.  I have such grand dreams of ways I can serve you, and I tend to overlook the many ways I can serve you right here, right now.  Help me in my resolve to be committed to you in all ways, both small and great.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day