We will always and forever hear this line: “DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.” We will hear it at home. We will hear it at work. And we will hear it in our private thoughts about God. But no matter when or where it shows up, that line will be a LIE!
An immutable law of our universe is that a whole is the sum of its parts. But that is not why SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF is an important part of the Christian faith. SMALL STUFF matters because it:
- Reveals Godly CHARACTER without ambiguity.
- Demonstrates Spiritual DISCIPLINE to God’s way.
- Builds CONFIDENCE for the next trial or opportunity.
- Illuminates COMMITMENT to Christ for others to see.
- Establishes MOMENTUM that produces spiritual growth.
Bruce Springsteen is rock royalty and one of the most prolific songwriters ever. I am confident he would NEVER say “don’t sweat the small stuff.”
If Springsteen had not paid attention to the small stuff on his mega-hit “Thunder Road,” it would be a pedestrian play. Take a look at just three of several dozen “small things” he addressed:
- Bruce spent 13 hours overdubbing guitar when “it sounded fine” after 90 minutes.
- The song’s muse, Mary, wasn’t chosen until Angelina, Anne, Chrissie and Christina were tried and rejected.
- The original and powerful sax introduction was changed to harmonica because it was “great, but not the greatest.”
- That story may seem silly compared to our walk with Christ, but it is very powerful in its simple connection to picking up the Bible or praying when we don’t feel like it. There is NO DIFFERENCE.
For me, I ask God to help me pay attention to the small and seemingly unimportant things that are actually very important to him.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What is the SMALL STUFF God wants you to think about this week?
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Luke 16:10
