Think Big, but Start Small

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“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.

Actually a recent sunset, but you get the picture!

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.


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38 responses to “Think Big, but Start Small”

  1. Dawn Avatar

    Thanks David! Yes, we take 1 step at a time. And keep trusting God.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I can only imagine how chronic illness would make this the norm.

    Like

  3. jesusluvsall Avatar

    I am more of a sunset person mostly because mornings are rough 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    God Bless you too, David. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Alan Kearns Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Thank you, David, for this poignant reminder to let God determine and light our steps. I needed this today. Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    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! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Rocky Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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!

    Like

  14. Beth Alisan Avatar

    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?”

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Gary Fultz Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

  16. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. An Audience of One Avatar
    An Audience of One

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Crystal.

    Like

  19. God Still Speaks Avatar

    I’m glad God is using the slow cooker and not the microwave in making me mature!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Crystal Byers Avatar

    Congrats, David! That’s an amazing accomplishment!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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.

    Like

  22. Crystal Byers Avatar

    “God likes growing things little by little.” That’s a great perspective to keep in mind.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    And thank you for sharing these important truths, David. Have a blessed week!

    Like

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Manu. I always
    love to say it this way, because it rhymes. 😊

    Yes, one step at a time in God light. Amen!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. davidsdailydose Avatar

    “God’s time scale is eternity.” That’s the perfect summary thought for this post. Thank you for sharing. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Manu Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I say, “Tag, you’re it, brother!” I can’t wait to read your post!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. BG Avatar

    I might be feeling inspired to blog on that verse alone! What say ye kind sir?

    Liked by 1 person

  31. BG Avatar

    Just letting my “light” shine!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for “shedding more light”😊 on a serious subject—not stepping too far ahead or behind God’s light. Blessings, brother BG!

    Liked by 1 person

  33. BG Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    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 😊☀️

    Liked by 2 people

  35. davidsdailydose Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  36. Bridget A. Thomas Avatar

    So true. We must learn to trust Him one step at a time. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement, David!

    Liked by 3 people

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