2024_06_21 Insight Post- Karenna Rowenhorst
This week’s reading- Esther 2-10
Do you dream about doing something big? Start a business or lead a team, write a book, compete at an elite level, be an influencer with thousands of followers, or design a wildly successful computer program? The list of potential “big achievements” is endless. And our culture tells us these are the important and worthy things to do. We receive daily messages that tell us if you’re not part of something big or starting something big, then you’re not worth anything. This is a trap we can fall into – thinking that only “big” things are worth our time and energy. But God looks at everything we do, big and small, and calls it all important.
The man we are studying this week in our Bible Reading Plan did big things. Mordecai supported and guided Esther through several pivotal times in her life; culminating with an intense time of prayer and fasting as Esther negotiated with King Xerxes to save the Jewish people.
But this is not where the story of Mordecai’s success begins. Before Mordecai did anything big, he did many small things. When Esther’s parents die, Mordecai adopts his young cousin into his household. When Esther is chosen by the King to live in the palace, Mordecai walks by the palace every day to find out how Esther is doing:
“Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the courtyard of the harem to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.” Esther 2:11 NLT
These daily check-ins demonstrate Mordecai’s persistence and dedication to stay connected with Esther. He had no idea what would unfold in the coming months. He had no idea that the daily love and encouragement he was showing to Esther would help her develop into a strong woman who was willing to risk her life to save her people.
A daily walk, checking up on your child- these seem like small things, not unimportant things, but things that are not very impressive. It’s not likely anyone is going to create an Instagram post about “taking my morning walk!” But these small things are crucial to the story of Esther unfolding the way it does. Mordecai’s faithfulness in caring for Esther makes her feel valued and worthy of love and gives her strength and wisdom to negotiate a complex situation with the King.
Little decisions, little actions, and little commitments can add up to a big result. Over time, and when we submit our will to God, our faithfulness in small, daily actions can grow into something greater than we could ever imagine. God’s purposes and plans are often accomplished through the small. And big things don’t just happen out of the blue. There is very often a foundation of many small things that start the process.
So maybe the more important question is, are you doing little things? Are you looking to build your character the way God intends? Are you focusing on building skills like patience, self-control and trustworthiness? Are you faithful to God, your family and your friends? This is the place we start in order to accomplish big things. I pray that God will reveal to us today the places where we can intentionally practice little acts of obedience, faithfulness, and kindness.
Karenna Rowenhorst
Senior Director of Education