German philosopher, J. W. Goethe:

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all aspects of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can–begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

I stumbled across this quote the other day and knew that I had to pass it on to some of the university students in my life.

Too often, we live under the cloud of a myth that real life starts later.  It is indeed a myth, you know…real life has already begun, and it plays out each day all around us.

For college students, especially, it is easy to get caught up in the thinking that something better lies ahead.  I see the same thing, over and over again.  Students are “biding time,” waiting for that “BIG” opportunity to serve God, all the while missing the (seemingly) “small” opportunities that are present each moment.

Want to hear the truth?  Any task, given to us by the God of the universe, IS big.

Consider the words of Jesus:

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.  But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. (Luke 16:10)

‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.  Let’s celebrate together!’…To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.  But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. (Matthew 25:23, 29)

Jesus was clear to communicate that as we are faithful to God in the work he gives to us, God sees our faithfulness and rewards us with more and more responsibilities.  If we neglect to obey the Holy Spirit’s nudgings in small matters each day, God will certainly not lead us into opportunities for serving him significantly in the future.  In fact, Jesus tells us even what responsibilities we have will be taken from us.

Recently, a student came to me, believing God has called him into a life of service in the area of battling against human trafficking.  That sounds really cool, doesn’t it?  It sounds BIG.

This student asked what he should do to get involved on a big level.  My response?  Go to the local refugee center and ask them how to serve someone, a refugee in need of a friend, in our hometown.  I think the student went away discouraged…he wanted something BIG.

Tomorrow’s BIG is today’s SMALL.

Living powerfully for God is about living in the present, making the most of every opportunity today.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking life begins sometime down the road.  We must learn to live life, beginning today, in this moment, wholly devoted to serving God in the present.

I believe we need to take to heart the words of Goethe and decide today that our lives will not be given to hesitancy, but to determination and decisiveness and boldness for God.

====================

Bill Westfall is the Director of Ministry Development for Impact Campus Ministries.  You can connect with him at  http://williamwestfall.posterous.com/.

[Back to the Real Life, Real Faith page]