As we approach the Holy Week, it is time to do some self examination. Are we disobedient, slow to repent, full of doubt? Even just on a small scale?

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely). (Luke 16:10-13, AMP, emphasis added)

We might think the small things do not matter. Who cares about the minor stuff? Well, God does. Because, in many ways, it is a matter of life and death. It does not look like it. We don’t think our conversations matter or how we conduct business. We are certain our eating, drinking or smoking habits would matter that much to anybody. Or what kind of books we read or how much TV we watch. But as Richard Foster has put it “the battle is won or lost precisely in the trifling areas of life.”

Hannah More hits the nail on the head on this matter: “A life devoted to trifles not only takes away the inclination, but the capacity for higher pursuit.”

Ouch.

The truth hurts.

But it is a blessing if it turns us to God.
It is a blessing if it gets us to repent.
It is a blessing if it gets us to guard against trifling.

Because we are called to stop devoting our time to activities of little importance. We are called to train our hearts toward God. And nothing is more helpful than practicing faithfulness in small things. Consider now whether God is asking you to let him work in you in these matters.

We don’t want to be disobedient or delay our repentance or feed our doubts. Instead we want to guard against trifling. What to do then? Let’s first turn to God and repent. Second, let’s ask how each of us can guard against trifling. We can be certain God is more than happy to answer. When we have learned to guard against trifling, we are ready for higher pursuit.

 

Gracious God,
Forgive me for trifling,
for using my precious time for activities of little importance.
Cleanse me inside and out, Lord.
And show me how to guard against trifling.
Help me to be faithful in the small matters.
Guide me to choose right spiritual practices for me
so I could become what you’ve created me to be.
Make me ready for higher pursuit.
Bless me indeed with your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you trifle? What does help you to guard against trifling?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you are faithful in the small matters and become ready for higher pursuit!

Image courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke.  Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.