Are there times in your life where you really wanted to see big things happen, but they didn’t turn out quite the way you’d imagined? You got that surgery that was supposed to make things better, but it didn’t really restore your youthful vigor. You threw your best efforts into that project at work, but it didn’t turn out like you hoped it would. You started that new spiritual discipline, but it didn’t revolutionize your walk with Christ. You were so excited about getting ready for Christmas, but your preparations didn’t live up to your expectations.

Sometimes, things don’t turn out the way we wanted! And it’s only natural to be disappointed. And yet, in today’s word from Zechariah Chapter 4, we get this tiny word from God that might be extremely helpful.

Zechariah was among the exiles who returned Israel after years in Babylon. And God’s people were so excited about being back in their homeland. But nothing was going the way they thought it would. They started to rebuild Jerusalem, but it was taking a long time. They started to rebuild the Temple, but it just wasn’t as glorious as used to be.

And so, the Lord sent a word to Zechariah about Zerubbabel, the leader of the people at the time. And this is what He said: “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it…Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (4:9-10; emphasis added)

You see, God’s timetable isn’t always the same as ours . And not only that, but God’s goals aren’t always the same either. Where we want to see certain things happen; God, I think, is more concerned about seeing certain qualities develop. He wants hearts that trust Him, depend on Him, and are willing to do things His way instead of the world’s way. And as we cultivate hearts like that, I think we’ll discover that “small things – done with great love – will change the world.”

So, don’t despise small beginnings. Because when offered to God, they can become glorious endings. Amen.