Some have wondered how many devotional books I’ve sold, hinting that they’d like to know how much money I’ve made. Nosey Parkers! Since these weekly devotionals, which I’ve written and published for over 11 years, cost you nothing and me just a modest annual charge from the web organizer, I assume they refer to royalties from my two published books, which are still very available on Amazon and would make marvelous Christmas presents! Shame on me! But, to be painfully honest, those book purchases have put me in a lower tax bracket! Get it? Satisfied? Prying buttinskies!

It’s also true that people from over sixty countries have discovered my website. All right, already, maybe only three to five new people every day. Add that up, and it’s still but a drop in the bucket. It could have more readers. I pray for such. To be a blessing. To make my contribution to God’s Kingdom.

Yes, I’m a small fish in a big pond. Wee potatoes. A bit player. Chump change. And? You’re point? Should I quit? Pack it up and call it a day? Stop fighting the rip tide and come to shore? Well, since I can’t swim, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing for my Lord Jesus.

You must know that the idea for all this devotional writing comes from God. Okay, I never heard an audible voice. No skywriting or colossal sign, either. Just an impression in my mind of a mission from my Lord. To write devotionals. For Him. For others. Never for personal gain. Not to advance a career. But, again, for Him and for others. Does it make me sound like a goody two-shoes? If so, too bad, so sad!

Like God’s people in Zechariah 4, when they eyeball the modest sight of their newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and hear stories about the magnificence of Solomon’s original worship complex, they break down in tears, grieving this ‘day of small things’ (v. 10). How the mighty have fallen, so they think.

That’s when God encourages them to keep on keeping on–“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you'” (Zech. 4: 8-9). It’s about God’s plans and not merely your own. You’re disappointed? Embarrassed? Let down? Get over it and get with it.

Whatever you do for Jesus, please, keep at it. Maybe it’ll be in a new place. Doing something somewhat different. Or you need to dig in your heels and not give up. I don’t know. But ask Jesus what He wants you to do. Wait on Him. Watch for little hints and signals. Don’t be in such a blasted hurry as I usually am. Wait, while you’re at it. And then, that’s right, do it!

Hudson Taylor, the 19th-century missionary to China, said this–‘Little things are little things. But faithfulness in little things is a big thing.’ Read that again and let what he said over a century ago sink in. Certainly grabs my attention. Just mine?

Lord Jesus, I love doing what you call me to do. What an honor. Always for your sake. Amen.