David did not start out fighting giants. He started out with smelly, stupid sheep where nobody could see him

Be faithful in the little things

Not every giant is a problem that has to be overcome. Some are actually opportunities that can be doorways to bigger things.

David was the youngest of eight brothers. The three oldest were on the battle lines, and David had the responsibility of going back and forth from tending his father's sheep to delivering supplies to his brothers.

Though he was the youngest, he was not the dumbest. He had the military mind of a Colin Powell, the political savvy of a nation's President, the athletic skill of a Milkha Singh, and the musical ability of Beethoven, all wrapped up into one.

Yet where did David spend most of his time? Not on the front lines facing the enemy, but in the backwoods caring for smelly, stupid sheep where no one would ever see him.

Not on the front lines facing the enemy, but in the backwoods caring for smelly, stupid sheep where no one would ever see him.

Dr. George Powell

Think about this. Did David ever whine and complain because he wasn't in the war zone? No. Did David ever accuse God of overlooking him? No. Did David throw a pity party and complain that he never got any breaks? No.

David didn't start out fighting giants on the battlefield, he started out tending sheep on the hillside. David didn't start out as a soldier fighting for Saul, he started out as a musician soothing Saul.

He was faithful in the little things and doing what he was supposed to be doing, obeying his dad, tending the sheep, and practicing his music. David knew that God was preparing him for bigger and better things. But during this time he was getting to know God. During this time God was developing his character. During this time God was preparing him.

Forged in the private place

Many people want a giant opportunity right now but aren't patient enough to be faithful in the little things. However, before we can take on bigger and tougher giants, our character, abilities, and talents are forged in the little things and most often in the private places. That's because who we really are is forged in the private place, not the public arena.

So where are you today? Are you aspiring to be a great leader? To own your own company? To run your own business? To influence the lives of many? That's a great dream and a noble ambition. By all means, hold on to it. But remember, it starts with the small things, the little things that don't seem as important.

Seventeen years in small churches

I pastor a great church and have the joy and responsibility of teaching several thousand every weekend. But it hasn't always been that way. My first 17 years of ministry were in churches all numbering less than 300.

Now I have the opportunity of travelling and speaking to groups nationally and internationally several times a year. Once in a while someone will say something like, "I wish I could do what you do." The question I am asking on the inside is, "Are you willing to do what I've done?"

Once in a while someone will say, "I wish I could do what you do." The question I am asking on the inside is, "Are you willing to do what I've done?"

Dr. George Powell

Most don't start out facing the big giants. They start out tackling the smaller ones.

But be faithful. Do your job and do your best. Be faithful in the little things and trust God to give you the opportunity for greater responsibility in His time.