Do not despise these small beginnings…is probably a theme verse for my life. I will never forget the first time I heard it. I was in college attending a weekly meeting for a Christian organization I was apart of on campus. During these weekly meetings, there was usually some kind of guest speaker who would share which took up the majority of our time there. I probably shouldn’t even call them “meetings” because that feels too business-y. They were more like get-togethers.
Anyway, this particular week Beth Guckenberger was speaking. She combined her life story, testimony and ministry all in one as she shared. I hung onto her every word because she just had that type of personality that was inviting. One of the takeaways from her message was this verse from Zechariah 4:10. Long story short, there were many things going wrong or not the way she had planned them to go in her life and ministry but she kept coming back to this verse for encouragement and peace as she continued to press forward.
Ever since hearing her speak, this verse has penetrated my heart and will forever be something I come back to. As 2017 begins, it’s the time of year to reflect, react, and start again. But sometimes I can’t help but get discouraged that I’m not where I want to be in certain areas of my life. I wonder if God even heard me the last 365 days – heard my prayers, tears, cries for help, etc. It starts to feel like I do, in fact, despise where I’m at sometimes.
But do you know what the word despise means? (I love a good definition 🙂
Despise (verb):
-to look down on with contempt or disgust
-to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful
-scorn, loathe
The life I have lived so far, the things that I’m not happy about or wish were different – are those things worthless and disgusting? In my heart, do I loathe where I’m at? Looking at things through these lenses makes me think differently. That’s why I love this verse because I can be quick to think I’m unhappy or upset with how things are but it brings me back to reality that where I am at has purpose. Where I’m at right now has worth. I have worth!
Do I still have desires in my heart – yes. Does the Lord know them – yes. Will he work everything out for my good – yes. This verse gives me hope and reminds me that the Lord is building on what He has already done. These beginnings won’t be beginnings for long. As I move forward in faith and love, He will continually be bringing me higher than where I was before.
Ultimately, this verse reminds me to be thankful. Thankful for these small but mighty beginnings. Thankful for where I am at right now. Thankful that Jesus knows how much “life” I can handle at a time and gives me boundaries even if I don’t give them to myself. For me, I want 2017 to be a year of thanksgiving – for things big and small and everything in between.
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