Have you ever looked back on your life and thought about the small moments?
A few weeks ago during a meeting the question was posed, If you could go back and relive a day in the last year, without changing it, what day would you choose? As we went around sharing I struggled to think of a whole day that I would choose. But I thought of many, many moments, that when added together I could have made a “day” of.
And the more I think of those moments, I realize that life is really made up of moments that when put together, tell our story.
Sometimes those moments encourage us. Sometimes those moments trouble us. Sometimes those moments stop us. And sometimes those moments change us.
A lot of those moments are relational. I think back to my first interaction with someone who is now like family. We met at Big Y one Sunday morning after church. There was nothing spectacular about our conversation. Another friend introduced us, we talked about both wearing Bruins shirts, he was buying a gift bag and we were buying eggs for omelets. He invited me to come with a friend to Generations, a Sunday night service. And then we went on our way. Seems ordinary and insignificant.
But when I look back at this moment now, I see how it changed me. I would eventually accept his invitation and, with time, grow in relationship with God and His family.
When I look at examples from the bible, I think first of John and James who were mending fishing nets with their father when they received an invitation that altered their lives.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20
Simon and Andrew were casting their nets, something I’m sure they did repeatedly. Just as going to Bug Y is a regular part of my life, they were just going about their lives, and in a moment were asked to come. I’m fairly certain in that moment, they didn’t realize how much their life and mission would change.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21-22
James and John also were going about their ordinary day, working with their father Zebedee. Just as Simon and Andrew left everything, I’m again fairly certain that they didn’t know how this moment would change them. (Side note, I wonder what their father thought at this moment. We don’t hear how he reacted or how this moment changed his life, but I know it had to.)
So what can I learn from this….
- No moment is insignificant. God will use insignificant moments to lead to radical change.
- Don’t be afraid to step out and build new relationships, they can lead to change.
- Embrace the godly relationships in your life, they can help you to fulfill the mission God has for your life.
This week I encourage you to reflect on the small moments. What moments would you want to live again? How have those moments changed you? Then think to the relationships that are reflected in those moments. Who have you taken a chance on and grown a friendship with that has altered your life? Finally, what relationships has God placed in your life that bless you? How can you embrace those relationships and allow them to encourage and lead you to Him?
Praying for all the little moments.