“God uses small things to make a big impact.” (Quote by Rebecca Sheridan)
Now you who know me probably read the opening quote and thought I was going to reiterate my belief, based on Biblical proof, that the Lord can take small means and bring about great results through faith. Well, that is a true statement, but I am not going to talk about example for the Scriptures to defend that truth. No, I want to talk about some things found in “The Private Place” to get you started on this day. My purpose is to cause you to keep an eye on the small things in your world; small this if focused on from a spiritual perspective, they would help you maintain or enhance your God-consciousness. Let’s get started!
Mommas used to retreat to the private place for a moment of peace and quiet, or a much needed and deserved moment of solitude. Fathers, in days past, used the private place as an undisturbed refuge room to read the entire newspaper, front to back, obviously judging by the time spent in this private place, fathers read every printed word on every page in the publication. Sisters used the private place to soak and relax, almost to the point of falling asleep in a bubbly tub of comforting warm waters. They also used the private place as if it was their personal spa, but aha, there was only one private place like this one in the house. Some adults used the private place as a place to play on their generations’ gadget, multiple, many selections from their playlist of contemporary music. These adults were unfazed and uninterrupted by the falling water in this private place. At times singing would emerge, if you can call it that, and outside the door you could be treated to a live concert of sort. In days of the past, little children played with little boats, baby dolls, rubber duckies, and miniature frogmen filled with baking soda in the private place. In many of the private place situations, you would hear amidst the back and forth movement, right outside, the pacing of feet on the oak, carpeted, or tile floor, revealing a shortness of patience with their loud voice that spoke these familiar words, “Are you finished yet? Come on!”
Have you guessed what they call the private place yet? I’m sure you have. It’s the bathroom. Let me give you a tour of the main bathroom, the private place in my house. On the entry door to the private place is a wall hanging that says, “Truth. Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth, and action (I John 3:18).” Continue the tour my friend. As you look around to some of the wall hangings inside the room, you will find one that says, “Be kind to others, to yourself, to the world.” Another wall hanging says, “Soak away your troubles, go be great.” Underneath it is a small-framed piece of art that says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you (Joshua 1:9).”
Hold on now! The tour is not over yet! There is another very small, but colorful wall hanging that says, “Nature’s astonishing design opens your eye to the presence of God.” On the top of a contemporary wooden-carved, solid stand, there is a small, blue paperback entitled “The New Testament and the Psalms.” Underneath this top-selling book that contains a portion of the word of God, you will see a book written by Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost to His highest.” There is a lot to be seen on this tour to bring about God-consciousness, and we all need that, right? Like the opening quote says, “God uses small things to bring about great impact.”
Oh yeah! Let me be thorough as possible. In the private place, there is a tub, a toilet , a table with a plethora of cosmetic goods, a large clock, and a sink. Over the sink is a rectangular mirror. While these small things seem to have no significance in creating a higher degree of God-consciousness, perhaps that’s a wrong conclusion. Maybe we just have to look through a different prism. For if we do, we will be reminded that the Lord can cleanse you, take away the excess stuff in your life that weighs you down, fix you up the way you should look to others…glowing in godliness, and how his goodness falls on us like water running from a source that never stops. Looking in the mirror, you can conclude that you are not only fearfully and wonderfully made, but you have been blessed to experience life one more day. Praise God! The clock in the private place reminds you, if looked at through the right prism, that it is time to come out letting your little light shine all throughout the day, and to be a sanctified witness for the Lord.
Well, I did not take you through my prayer closet, but I did give you a no-charge tour of the private place in my house. My hope is that your God-consciousness is increased or inflated , but not intolerable, and that your eyes are now open so that as you go through the day, you will be looking at how various small stuff, everyday things, can remind you of how blessed we are to have the LORD as our God. He is on your side. Have a great Thursday! Remember this tour of the private place that you were privy to take. Turn the stern face you woke up with to a smile! Be blessed!
“So remember this…and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39 NLT)
Mark L. King