In the grand scheme of a 2x2 foot flower bed, not much expansive potential is seen at first. We are limited to space, capacity, perhaps creativity. We have only so much area to plant, so we must make it work. And we are kept at bay on what kind of seed we may plant, so that the seed in its infancy may have a fighting chance to root properly, have good drainage, and adequate sunshine.

In the grand scheme of our Christian journey, we may see our lives and our potential as that small flower bed. We began in infancy, we have been growing in the Lord, but we feel contained, because we are not expanding yet to the left and to the right, still not overcoming those obstacles to our growth. We have our growing seasons, but then we seem to stall.

Toward the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, before they crossed the Jordan, Israel too had little parcels of creativity and imagination that were limited for growth. “For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven,” (Deuteronomy 11:10-11).

A little in our Father’s Hands is a lot! “Fear not little flock, for it is the Father’s Good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

A story is re-told from a successful Christian businessman, of his days as a young, troubled teenager. Always in trouble at school, trouble with authority, and stealing from the local stores. And though fines were always paid, and countless meetings with principals and counseling ensued, his father always cut the son slack and forgave him. It was asked of this businessman, “why in those early years his father never had him arrested, nor simply give up on his son?” To which he replied, “my father simply worked with what God gave him to work with.”

Beloved in Christ, entrust today into God’s Hands what little you have, and God will make it work. God will make sure, “you shall again root downward and bear fruit upward.” (Isaiah 37:31).

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your precious promises. I confess I am often tempted to the sin of presumption: presuming that You will bless what I have decided to do, even if I am laboring in vain on my own pursuits. I thank You for the warning that Your fire will test the quality of each person's work. Help me not to be saved as one escaping through the flames, but as one whose work is truly built on the foundation of Jesus and Your instructions to me in the everlasting covenant of the blood of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Bethlehem was a seemingly insignificant town. King David was a seemingly insignificant baby brother. You are not insignificant to God. Ask God to break up any hard ground in you, to plant His Word, to water you, and to grow you into a mature person who is fruitful and pleasing to God. Do not be ashamed or pretend if you are not there yet. Ask God what He wants to do for you, and ask Him what He wants you to be doing at this time.