“Do not despise your small beginnings,” I told my friend. We sat at a table with a feast of food in front of us. Her eyes were set on finishing it all. I watched her and thought back to my own journey.
It took me weeks to say “yes” to God before I started the Godly Woman 911 ministry. I could not understand why He would want to use me. I was a foster child, the daughter of a drug-addicted mother and a father who had been extradited from the country because of drug use. I was the girl that teachers and the community said would never amount to anything. I was never the smartest, cutest, or most outgoing. As a woman, I became a leader who looked more like a religious Pharisee than someone who had a relationship with God. Twice divorced, I was broken and could not understand why I was so unloved by so many.
But I felt God saying to me that from this small beginning, He wanted to use me.
Who Dares to Despise?
There were many days of doubt along my journey. One day, during my quiet time with the Holy Spirit, I turned to the verse of the day and read Zechariah 4:10:
“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (NIV)
With tears in my eyes and a heart so full, I cried out to God. This was for me. I had been believing that my past and my background disqualified me. Yet here was God, in His grace, asking me, “Who are you to despise what I call precious?”
God reminded me that He often starts His greatest works in the smallest of ways. He uses the people the world may scorn, despise, look down on, or reject to fulfill His purposes here on earth.
God’s Way Is Not Our Way
We live in a culture that glorifies people and things according to its own standard. But God does not operate by the world’s scale. There is a verse that sums up His way perfectly:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)
God chose a shepherd boy named David to defeat a giant and later become one of the greatest kings over Israel. He chose a young virgin named Mary to bring forth the Savior of the world. He fed thousands with just a few loaves and fish. Over and over, God takes what seems small and insignificant and turns it into something mighty.
Living This Out
Small beginnings are not a sign of failure. They are an invitation to trust God’s process. If you will remain faithful in the little, God can trust you with more.
- Thank God for what you have now
Even if it feels small, it is in your hands for a reason. Gratitude turns your heart toward God’s goodness. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
- Be faithful where you are
David was anointed as king but went back to tending sheep until God’s timing came. Your faithfulness in the unseen places prepares you for the visible ones. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10 NIV)
- Trust God’s timing
A seed takes time to grow. Rushing the process will only hinder what God is building in you. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
When you shift your perspective from “I am not enough” to “God is doing something,” you begin to walk in confidence. What feels small now is simply the starting chapter of a much bigger story.
My Prayer for You
Mighty and Majestic, Lord. I surrender to You. Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth, I hunger and thirst for You. In faith, I enter Your presence, desiring to please You. Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have doubted or despised what You have given us. Holy Spirit, help us to see every seed as a gift and an opportunity to glorify God. Thank You that even when the world overlooks us, You call us chosen and precious. Strengthen our faith to trust Your process and Your timing. May we rejoice in every stage of the journey, knowing You will bring all things to completion. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
My friend, your seed has potential for more than you can imagine. Be a blessing and be blessed today.
