Think Small

Wars. Famine. Disease. Floods. Landslides. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Droughts. Crop failures.

So many huge problems in the world causing suffering and death. And we can do little to nothing about them. But that’s okay.

In 2018 the Christian singer Josh Wilson came out with a clever, fun song called “Dream Small.” In it, he pointed out that we change the world each time we show Jesus’ love in small ways.

For example, we show Jesus’ love when we spend quality time with our children. Or when we treat our spouse with kindness, consideration, and forgiveness.

We show Jesus’ love to our co-workers by helping them and treating them with respect. We show his love to our bosses by giving them an honest day’s work every day.

We can also show Jesus’ love by how we treat people we encounter in our daily lives—the supermarket clerk, the barber or hair stylist, the fast food cashier, the restaurant waiter or waitress. Do we greet them with a smile? Do we show them that we value their efforts on our behalf?

And how about how we treat people on social media? If we disagree with someone’s opinion, do we treat them the way we would want to be treated? Or do we respond with insults and name-calling?

Wouldn’t it make a difference if we did these “little” things to make the world a nicer place? I believe so. After all, a little shepherd boy brought down a giant with a sling and a stone.[1]

So don’t worry so much about the world’s big problems.

Instead, think small.

[1] See 1 Samuel 17:1-54.