The Small is Big

The health of the oceans depends on the health of rivers; the health of rivers depends on the health of small streams; the health of small streams depends on the health of their watersheds. The health of the water is exactly the same as the health of the land; the health of small places is exactly the same as the health of large places. We cannot immunize the continents and the oceans against our contempt for small places. Small destructions add up, and finally they are understood collectively as large destructions. Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry writes about the land. But I’m guessing it’s true with our hearts as well… the health of the small area is the same as the whole. Things become significant precisely because they seem insignificant. I can only grow big when I don’t overlook the small. That’s God’s perspective… the small things are the big things.

• The Hebrews led out of Egypt by a baby floating down the river in a basket.

• The giant, Goliath defeated by a shepherd boy.

• Gideon had 32,000 men but God shaved it down to 300 before battle.

• The fall of Jericho because of the faith of Rahab, one lone woman.

• Jesus feeding thousands with just a few fish and loaves of bread.

• A baby in a manger makes a way for the entire human race.

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things. Bruce Barton