Small Beginnings

It's hard to overestimate the magnitude of the Pilgrims and their act of obedience to God.  By leaving everything they ever knew (except their faith), they faced many unknowns, separation from loved ones, danger, and death.  All of this they risked in order to make God known in the New World.  How would our lives be different today if not for their faith and sacrifice?  They set a precedent - a standard - for generations to come.  They formed the beginning of the American greatness, a heritage that has inspired and encouraged many.


We all want to do great things.  We want to make a difference, change the world.  Often, we hear stories of people who make the news.  We read stories of people who make history, wondering where our name could fit in to the big picture.


No doubt about it, leaving your home and starting a new colony is a big thing.  But doing "something big" is not what the Pilgrims set out to do.  William Bradford, a leader in the group, wrote about why the Pilgrims chose to come to America.  After listing a number of reasons, he said,

"Last and not least, they cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least of making some way towards it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world, even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance of so great a work...Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise" (Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, emphases added).

Yes, the Pilgrims did a big thing and landed in the history books.  But that wasn't their aim.  And don't forget their sacrifice.  Don't forget the dozens who died long before the dream came to pass.  None of them saw the formation of America, which was the ultimate realization of their dream.  The Pilgrims knew that their obedience was only the beginning of the story, and they were willing to be merely the first step toward great things.


In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, the Israelites were beginning to rebuild the temple after returning to their country from exile.  Some remembered the former temple, the one Solomon built.  Solomon's temple had been a grand temple before it was destroyed when the Israelites were defeated.  The new temple was not nearly as exquisite, and many were downhearted during the building of the temple as they remembered its former glory.  But God encouraged them with a promise.  "'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.  For who has despised the day of small things?'" (Zechariah 4:9-10a).  The day of small things.  Yes, the new temple started out small, and wasn't as materially great as the one before it.  Some Israelites truly despised that day of small things.  But God promised to work in His temple, and the day of small things would lead to more than they could imagine.


God doesn't call us to success but to obedience.  The Pilgrims understood that - and left the results up to God.  Who has despised the day of small things?  I know I have.  But no more.  For God is at work in the small things, and you just never know what your stepping stone will lead to.

"Though the beginnings be small, God can make the latter end greatly to increase; a grain of mustard-seed may become a great tree. Let not the dawning light be despised, for it will shine more and more to the perfect day. The day of small things is the day of precious things, and will be the day of great things."

Matthew Henry, commenting on Zechariah 4 

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