Small Tasks

It’s much easier to accomplish a small task than a huge one. “Clean the house,” is often too daunting to even start. An experienced cleaner knows that it cannot be accomplished without a lot of work, and that there will be interruptions.

So, the best thing to do is divide the tasks and/or the time. Complete a single task in a single room, or set a specific time then move on to something else.

But never overlook the small tasks that can be easily accomplished.

Our churches ask each of us for some small tasks. Attending services is one. They ask that we come for an hour each Sunday and some ignore them. Yet others find time to attend Sunday School as well as morning services, evening services, visitation, prayer meetings, choir practice and a score of other church activities while some ignore each and every one of them.

Christ’s disciples accomplished some tremendous tasks, but they also completed some small ones based on faith. The first one mentioned in the sermon last was Mark 11:1-6. Christ sent them for a colt. They didn’t know the owners, just directions to where it was and what to say:

And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; (Mark 11:3a KJV)

The went, found, took, answered the question And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. (Mark 11:7 KJV)

Jesus then rode into Jerusalem on what we commemorate as Palm Sunday.

The next illustration in the sermon was Luke 5:1-6. Again a small task is requested:

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (Luke 5:4 KJV)

For a fisherman, it was a very small task He set for them to do. But the work was over, the boats had been brought to the shore, the nets were being washed And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: (Luke 5:5a KJV)

Why keep on trying when it was for nothing? Nothing to show for a night’s work, no reason to comply with the request for nets. Yet Peter accomplished this small task, nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:5b KJV)

Please note, though, that Christ asked for nets and Peter responded with a net. But that changed, quickly.

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:6-7 KJV)

This allowed Peter to write: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16 KJV)