Boom! The sound came before the dreaded shaking that grew ever more powerful as my used tire fought the pitted road valiantly. This losing battle quickly ended as I slowed the car and miraculously made it to the shoulder. I was much younger then, and I didn't realize that small debris like nails or glass could sneak up on the unwary driver and cause even more damage than the obvious hazards like parking curbs or large objects. After all, it's easier to navigate around the glaring dangers than to pay attention to the lesser evils.
On February 9th, Pembroke Pines Police Department experienced a tragic loss; how it must have blindsided them! Just around the corner from my campus, a motorcycle officer lost control and crashed after a palm frond suddenly fell and struck him. This hero's motorcycle and friendly demeanor are greatly missed in the community. A bulletproof vest does what it is engineered to do, but what happens when life throws a curve ball? Some storms are predictable; others are not. Why do details matter so much? Little things have big impact.
When Satan brought deception on the earth, he rarely chose to utter blatant lies. He simply wrapped a very small amount of error in the trappings of an otherwise truthful statement. Likewise, in the Bible, Abraham's disobedience looked more like "a logical improvement on God's idea" than "blatant disregard." Even small steps in the wrong direction lead to the wrong destination. The heart of God has always been moved by the little things such as the widow's mite, the little man in the sycamore tree and mustard seed faith. Divine details.
Have you ever ignored a minor nagging drip coming from the toilet or faucet? It seems insignificant until the water bill arrives; failure to address minor details now can trigger major consequences later. Recent media coverage of the Chinese spy balloon begs the question of why this vehicle was chosen when more sophisticated options exist. Yet the benign-appearing object had a clear advantage. Bad actors likely gambled on the familiarity factor, assuming that a drifting balloon might lull citizens into a false sense of security.
Conversely, small gestures create great joy and lasting memories. One random act of kindness or word of affirmation can break the power of discouragement over someone's life. Jesus used simple parables to reveal complex truths that would echo for generations. March is my birthday month and as I reflect, it's tempting to feel some regret over mistakes, missed opportunities or unfulfilled goals. Small and consistent steps in the right direction still lead towards destiny. In the Olympics, mere fractions of a second determine the win.
It's human nature to become introspective as you enter the final year of a decade. (Dare I say it?) This will be the last birthday before the BIG 50 milestone. As I consider the legacy that I want to leave behind, I realize that most decisions are either creative or destructive. It only takes a few more minutes to be intentional, but just imagine the ripple effect of that decision! If the awakening at Asbury University has taught us anything, it's that small sparks of spiritual hunger can erupt into a blaze of revival! Minor changes produce major results.
Matthew 13:31-32 (MSG)
Another story. “God’s kingdom is like an acorn that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge oak tree, and eagles build nests in it.”
Thank you for reminding me that it's the little things that count...the small undetected acts of kindness, the listening ear, that kind word or whisper.