Start with peanuts!

What's your favourite snack? Personally, I don't think that I have what I would refer to as a "favourite" but, on my desk, is a container of peanuts into which I dip from time to time. 

I'll explain the link in a moment but let me, apparently, digress! God appoints us to places of service best suited to the talents He has given us. We are to develop our abilities, and diligently use our God-given opportunities, no matter how small they may seem to be. That would appear to be the main lesson in the parable of the talents, told by the Lord Jesus (Lk.19). If God wants to promote us, He will do it in His own way, and at His own time.

And now, the link! American botanist George Washington Carver (1864-1943) said that he once asked God to tell him about the universe. According to the botanist, the Lord replied: "George, the universe is just too big for you to understand. Suppose you let Me take care of that!"

Somewhat humbled (as one is in such a situation - I can vouch for that from personal exerience!), Carver then asked: "Lord, how about a peanut?" The reply of the Almighty was: "Now, George, that's something your own size. Go work on it, and I'll help you." Carver studied the peanut and, by the time he had finished doing so, he had discovered more than 300 products that could be made with that tiny bit of God's world!

There is, of course, nothing wrong with thinking big, and wanting to do something important. However, if we are disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, then we should bring all of our goals and plans to the Lord in prayer, asking that His will be accomplished through us. And we must be willing to start at the bottom, with little things, if that is His will for us.

In God's service, promotions to greater things go to those who are faithful in little things - to those who are willing to start with 'peanuts'. Never forget, it is a big thing to do a little thing well!