Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zechariah 4:10a
The fan clicked softly as it swirled away the stifling heat and humidity that had settled into little backwoods church. There was a strange familiarity in this place I’d never set foot before. Strings pulling me back to a time I’d never really known but yet my heart felt an instant connection.
We moved around so much when I was kid I never really felt like I had any roots. How can roots get a chance to go deep when they’re never allowed time to get past the surface?
How strange it was to feel roots coming up from this little rock walled church pulling me into a heritage I was still trying to figure out.
I sat trying not to move for fear of the pew creaking and giving away my giddiness over something I couldn’t truly explain.
The old familiar gospel music wafted me into a comfort I’d been missing for a while. Hearing my father’s soft, familiar voice at the pulpit of his childhood was the highlight of a trip to a home I’d never known.
As I sat listening intently to the message about God, not man or the world, defining our identity it hit me like a ton of bricks. Soft, gentle bricks though!
Never despise small beginnings!
My dad had spent so many of his formative years in this tiny building that brimmed with larger than life people. What the building lacked in size it more than made up for in faith.
These people threw a pebble of faith into my dad and God multiplied the ripples more than anyone could have ever expected.
How could they have known? Could they see the generations to come that would be affected by their decision to arm my family with the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus?
No. The simple answer is no. But, nothing is small to our BIG God.
Those small beginnings don’t identify who I am as my identity is IN Christ but I never want to despise or look past those beginnings.
Your true identity is secure in your Heavenly Father,
not your earthly father.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus and not let the enemy fill us with lies about our identity. We’re more than conquerors and already victorious through Christ. Operate from that victory, not towards it. Live out who and whose you are each day.
I’m so grateful for the people who invested their time and faith into my dad. They paved a way for generations to come!
I’m reminded today of how our earthly roots are nice to know but they will never define who you are as only God can do that! His Word tells us all we need to know about our true identity. Our roots can run deep and really settle in Him.
Let’s dig deep into His word this week and really come to know who God says we are and thank Him for that truth!
I’m sharing this post with several other blogger’s at these Faith Linkups. I encourage you to check them out. If this post resonates with you and feel it would help others please feel free to share. Easy to share buttons below. ~Laura~
Laura, I'm hoping the fall provides more time for you to write. Your writing is beautiful, unique, and inspired. I especially love this piece: "our earthly roots are nice to know but they will never define who you are as only God can do that!" You invited me to sit alongside you in that pew, I could feel your excitement, I could smell the old church building. You transported me to my childhood. I love you, girl!
"How strange it was to feel roots coming up from this little rock walled church pulling me into a heritage I was still trying to figure out." It's interesting how that works sometimes, isn't it? There is just something about being with God's people that unites us, because our true "roots" are in Jesus. I really enjoyed reading your post, Laura! Blessings to you! I'm your neighbor at #IntentionalTuesday and #RaRaLinkup.
Sarah, you always know how to brighten my day! We're getting close to being done in the hay field. Woo hoo! Thank you for coming alongside me and feeling my excitement. You sure have the gift of encouragement. Love you too!
So true Gayl, being with God's people does unite us. I felt so at home in that little church. Thanks so much for stopping by. Blessings to you today!
Excellent reminder that our true identity is never rooted in this world, but as believers (and like the Levites from the OT) our heritage is the Lord Himself!
Oh I love this, Laura! I love how our roots show up in unexpected places to remind us of who we are rooted in! So good!
Amen! Thanks for your encouragement Karen.
Thanks Karrilee! I love how God reminds me right when I need it.
YES! I love that small beginnings verse and the picture you painted here with your words… it's like I'm sitting in that same stone church beside you on that squeaking pew… Beautiful reminders of how God can use even the most mundane things in our lives to grow into something so much bigger than us. So happy to have linked up beside you at Jaime's today ♥
Heather, I'm so glad you could come alongside me in that squeaking pew! So much bigger than us… Thanks for stopping by!