“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full day.”
Proverbs 3:18 (NIV)
When I was in high school, I woke up every day at 4:30 AM to milk a herd of dairy cows. It was hard work, but there was at least one perk; plenty of mornings I was able to enjoy the most amazing sunrises! The coolest thing was, you could see them coming before they arrived.
Bit by bit, the sky grew brighter and brighter until the sun eventually came into view. It seems God likes growing things little by little: sunrises, oak trees, immature humans.
On the other hand, I’ve often subscribed to the philosophy of “minute rice” discipleship–microwaving a major life decision without realizing the Lord often takes His time with such things.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Kind reader, only God knows where each of our paths lead, but as long as He gives enough light to see the next step, we’re good, right?
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️
This post was first published on June 6, 2019.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
38 responses to “Think Big, but Start Small”
Amen!
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Thanks David! Yes, we take 1 step at a time. And keep trusting God.
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I can only imagine how chronic illness would make this the norm.
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I am more of a sunset person mostly because mornings are rough 🙂
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God Bless you too, David. 🙂
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I’m naturally an impatient person, so it’s sometimes hard to wait for God’s light. Like King Saul I don’t wait for Samuel to come make the sacrifice. I’ve learned to wait though—after much heavenly reproof. Thank you for stopping by, brother Alan! Blessings.
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Thank you for this precious reminder of the need to wait. I think learning to wait is something we learn more about the older we get. I pray that I will wait on Him more each day.
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Your reply is timely, Lesley. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning, troubled about something relatively insignificant. The words of Christ helped me get back to sleep: “Do not be afraid. Just believe.” Mark 5:36. Your point about only God knows is a comfort. Thank you! I am grateful you stopped by my little blog. God Bless!
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You’re welcome, Peggy. I’ve been sifting through some of my older posts–looking for gold. It felt right to revamp and revisit this one. I’m glad the Lord used it to strengthen and encourage you. I sincerely appreciate both your reading and commenting! God Bless.
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Thank you, David, for this poignant reminder to let God determine and light our steps. I needed this today. Blessings!
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What a wonderful reminder not to worry too much about what lies ahead. We can’t know. Only God does. It’s lovely to know that He gives us enough light to guide our next step. This is so relevant to us all. Thank you, David! 😀
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Thank you for sharing this with me, Rocky. I will join you in prayer that God will lead you to the right person in His time. I appreciate you reading and commenting. God Bless!
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Isn’t it amazing how God works? Our church lost our worship leader a month ago through resignation and I have been acting as chairman for the search committee to hiring a replacement. Just tonight I was talking with another committee member about the candidates we have and reminded them, and myself, that God will lead us to the right decision in His time, not ours. Bless you David for this very pertinent reminder that we have to wait on God.
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Yes it was. I sometimes found myself very sleepy in class, later in the day. I’m only one generation removed from farming, as both my mom and dad grew up out in the country. The pace of a farm still feels natural to me, with the day being punctuated by repetitive chores. Sorry, I’m waxing nostalgic here.🤗
I’m a big liker of “flood light” faith as well, Beth. It’s hard to take one step at a time with the Lord, yet even Jesus did this. I’m thinking of the place in Hebrews where it says Christ learned obedience from the things he suffered. Anyway, thank you for your thoughts. God Bless!
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Wow, what a great way to start the day. I’m sure that morning chore gave you lots of good thinking time. I’m afraid I’m one who wants the Lord’s lamp for my feet to cast a beam that goes a mile down the road so I can see and prepare for what’s coming. I’ve learned that He helps keep my self-sufficient self humble by providing just what you described in that closing statement “Kind reader, only God knows where each of our paths lead, but as long as He gives enough light to see the next step, we’re good, right?”
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The phrase I am contemplating this season is “in the fullness of time”
100 years from now (probably lot sooner) I will understand God’s timing, and a whole lot of other things, a whole lot more
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The minute rice analogy was the closest thing I could think of to my impatient self. In reality, God never hurries. He’s gonna be up all night anyway.😊 Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I love the minute rice analogy. I’m guilty of that far too often. Thank you for the reminder that God works on His own timeframe, and that often takes place little by little.
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Thank you, Crystal.
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Me too, sister!
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I’m glad God is using the slow cooker and not the microwave in making me mature!
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Congrats, David! That’s an amazing accomplishment!
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Thank you, Crystal. I realized this anew, over the l
past 18 months, as I completed a masters degree in education administration. Universities (online) think one six week class at a time.
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“God likes growing things little by little.” That’s a great perspective to keep in mind.
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And thank you for sharing these important truths, David. Have a blessed week!
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Thank you, Manu. I always
love to say it this way, because it rhymes. 😊
Yes, one step at a time in God light. Amen!
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“God’s time scale is eternity.” That’s the perfect summary thought for this post. Thank you for sharing. God Bless!
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We always want to know how everything is going to pan out 10 steps ahead. But God wants us to trust him one step at a time. He shapes and grows us as we depend and trust in him through it all. A good word David.
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It’s amazing what God shows you when you’re alone with a herd of mama cows every morning before dawn. As you know, while the milkers are on there’s time to think. Thanks for sharing, CG!
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I have been thinking a lot recently about how God’s timing often seems so slow. We want to hurry and be useful now but God’s timescale is eternity. He isn’t in the same rush as we are.
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I say, “Tag, you’re it, brother!” I can’t wait to read your post!
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I might be feeling inspired to blog on that verse alone! What say ye kind sir?
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Just letting my “light” shine!
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Thank you for “shedding more light”😊 on a serious subject—not stepping too far ahead or behind God’s light. Blessings, brother BG!
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Exactly how I have explained that scripture! The lamps they had in Israel they carried shed just enough light for the very next step! To turn backwards away from the light you would be looking at utter darkness! If you try to step ahead of the light you would enter into the gray area! Just walk in the light! Take the very next step!
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I too milked cows when I was in high school, waking up at 4:30 a.m. It was always exhilarating to see God slowly wake up the day with the slow rise of the sun. I like how you connect this with God’s work—patiently raising up His plan until it is fully visible in all its beauty. Good message to start the day 😊☀️
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Thank you, Bridget. I just completed a mission from God that was 18 months in the making. There were blessings and bruises along the way, but as my friend Gary Fultz says, “God’s will is God’s bill.” Thank you for sharing. God Bless!
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So true. We must learn to trust Him one step at a time. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement, David!
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