Faithful with Little

I've been contemplating recently about the different seasons of life. Maybe it's because the actual seasons are changing. Or maybe it's because it seems like the seasons of the people's lives around me are changing. Or maybe simply because God has put it on my heart.

Gospel Coffee is entering a different season. Last year was our first year of operations. We shot up, traveled to four different countries, and God worked in amazing ways. Everything was grand and happened suddenly. I believe this is a year for steadiness. A year to continue in what the Lord has grown, in what the Lord has already done. To work this field that was planted. For Gospel Coffee that means continuing to deepen the relationships that the Lord has given us and to make new relationships around the US.

The truth is, it is so wonderful to go to foreign countries and buy coffee and support missions, but unless we have people that buy the coffee here in the States, it doesn't work. We have to be faithful with right now, for any progress to be made. A farmer cannot harvest if he does not plant and water and tend the plants.

I've been pondering this for my own life too. I was realizing I hadn't encountered any big trials recently. When I encounter trials, hard as they may be, they push me to grow. To grow my roots deeper into God. To trust Him more. To call out and cry out for Him. So in my mind, no trials = no growth.

But that's not true.

What the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart was personal. It applied to where I've been and where I am. He knows me. But my desire in sharing is that maybe it will speak to you too. Maybe the whispers of truth will apply to you and pour fresh water on something that has dried out. Or maybe it will encourage and give you a little nudge to continue on, the way it did for me.

He said "faithful with little". He reminded me that right now, I am walking in the lessons learned during the challenging times. I am applying the truths that He started growing in me. If I do not apply them, they will wither up and I will have to learn them again. I do not want to be forgetful, like a person that looks in the mirror and then goes away and forgets what I look like (James 1). I want to be faithful. To work it out, day by day. To remember the promises I cling to. To be in relationship with God daily. Not just in the trials. Not just when all is lost and I need Him to save me. But as a Friend, in the good times, the bad times, and the everyday moments.

He also reminded me to continue what He told me to do. For me, it's to write. One can never publish a book if you don't go through the process of writing, editing, and rereading. Similarly, one can never make a meal if you don't go through the process of buying, preparing, and cooking the meal. And likewise, one doesn't just run a marathon. You must train your whole body and mind for this, preparing.

This is faithful with little. To walk in the day-to-day with the little that we have for today. If we cannot manage each day, why would we be given more? We expect the outcome, the promise, the one day. And hopefully it will come, but we must be diligent along the way to do each day what we need to do. God has given us what we need in Him for today and has taught us what He needed to. I pray this encourages and spurs you on the way it did to me. So today, I will be faithful with little. I hope you do the same!

Shalom, from Miki & The Gospel Coffee Crew