Do Big Things

Being determined means doing something because it’s right – even when it’s hard. Our inclination is to stay comfortable and carefree. Our challenge is to do something worthwhile and make sure we follow through to completion.

The story of David and Goliath is well-known. David killed a giant while he was still a boy, long before he grew up to be a king. However, David was more of a giant than Goliath, not because of stature, but because of attitude.

It’s not how big you are; it’s what you do that matters. Giants do big things.

Sure, David made mistakes. Nevertheless, history calls David one of the greatest kings. He was a man after God’s own heart. No one would’ve blamed David if he’d killed King Saul when he had his chance, but he refused to do it. He did big things.

The Bible records the story of a woman who gave two copper coins in church. Jesus told someone that the woman gave more than the wealthiest of the crowd. Those small coins were all she had. She was the giant in church that day.

Who are today’s giants? Are they wealthy businessmen? Are they professional sports figures? How many of today’s lower income families give to those who are even more poor than they are? I’d say probably more than we realize. There are single moms, barely making ends meet, who take in neighborhood children and give them attention while the children’s parents are at home, fighting. Those single moms are doing a big thing for those kids.

There is determination in a school crossing guard who shows up every day to face an intersection loaded with pedestrian children and impatient drivers of powerful machines. Being a school crossing guard may not seem like such a big thing to the guard, but to the parents of the children who cross that street, it is a very big thing.

Forgiveness is a big thing. It can bring enemies together and make them friends. It can be a first step to healing.

For some, forgiving someone is a great idea, but following through to completion takes a lot of determination.

Is it in you?

Today’s goal is to: Forgive someone who has hurt you.

You may already be thinking of someone. Or you may be able to be a mediator between two people who need help forgiving each other. Who is the person on your heart?

If forgiving someone seems too hard and you want to give up, just remember that if it were easy, it wouldn’t be such a big thing.

So do it. It’s worth it.