Do you worry about the little things? Do you meticulously pick apart the smallest things done by someone else? Are you ignoring the bigger things? Have you forgotten to pursue the heart of God? Do you know what God wants from you?
There are times when we get all worked up over the tiniest of things. It can be as small as someone leaving a pen laying on our desk. It may be that a sock fell from the laundry basket and was left laying on the floor. Do not misunderstand, attention to detail has its place, but God desires more from us.
Jesus addresses the incorrect focus of the religious leaders of the day. In short, He says they get wrapped around the axel about the small things while neglecting the big things—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Those leaders were caught up in demanding people properly give their tithes while ignoring what mattered to the heart of God.
Do we do the same? Do we spend more time fretting over tiny things and forget what hurts God’s heart? I wish I could say we don’t. Unfortunately, I see it nearly every day. I see it in the daily news. I hear it in the stories of others. Sometimes I witness it firsthand. I even catch myself doing it.
Jesus tells us to stop worrying about the little things. He tells us to seek the things God is concerned about. We are to seek justice for all (our Pledge of Allegiance says we do). We are to show mercy, especially to those who honestly admit they have done wrong and seek to change their ways. We are to be faithful to God in all we do and say. God desires these from us, without neglecting the small things in our lives.
I pray we all seek to follow God’s heart. I pray we seek justice, mercy, and faithfulness. I pray each one of us will pursue following Jesus’ example and teachings in our lives. Seek justice. Show mercy. Be faithful in all you do. Speak faithfully always. Follow God’s commands. Follow Jesus’ example.
Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”
Marty Pressey 