Doing the Small Things as They Come in Life
Faithfulness in small things and striving for perfection in little things is key to true holiness and preparation for the next step in life.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of serving with good will, as unto the Lord and not to men, as highlighted in Ephesians 6:7. She encourages trusting in God's wisdom and grace, allowing Him to work in our lives one step at a time, forming a beautiful mosaic according to His plan. Tileston echoes the sentiment that doing our current tasks diligently prepares us for whatever God may require of us in the future, as expressed by George MacDonald. She stresses the significance of not neglecting the duties assigned to us by God in our current positions, as mentioned by Frederick W. Faber. Additionally, Tileston underscores the pursuit of holiness through perfection in small things to progress in true holiness, echoing the words of Abbé Guiloré.
Text
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.
EPHESIANS 6:7
YET take the tiny stones which I have wrought,
Just one by one, as they were given by Thee,
Not knowing what came next in Thy wise thought.
Set each stone by Thy Master-hand of grace;
Form the mosaic as Thou wilt for me,
And in Thy temple pavement give it place.
FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL
WHAT God may hereafter require of you, you must not give yourself the least trouble about. Everything He gives you to do, you must do as well as ever you can, and that is the best possible preparation for what He may want you to do next. If people would but do what they have to do, they would always find themselves ready for what came next.
GEORGE MACDONALD
Nothing can excuse the neglect of the duties of the position of life which God has conferred upon us. All is delusive where these are not attended to, and made much of.
FREDERICK W. FABER
If you would advance in true holiness, you must aim steadily at perfection in little things.
ABBÉ GUILORÉ
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Doing Small Things as They Come
- The Value of Stepping Stones in Life
- The Dangers of Neglecting Small Duties
- The Call to Aim for Perfection in Small Things
- Aim steadily at perfection in little things
- True holiness requires attention to small duties
Key Quotes
“If people would but do what they have to do, they would always find themselves ready for what came next.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“If you would advance in true holiness, you must aim steadily at perfection in little things.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Be mindful of the small tasks and duties in your life and strive to do them to the best of your ability.
- Trust that God will use your small duties to prepare you for the next step in life.
- Aim steadily at perfection in little things to advance in true holiness.