Stay Small

While up in WV this week, my car “sprung a leak”. We had several periods of heavy rain while we were at Mom’s and during that time I discovered a wet interior roof on the driver’s side. Today, I took the car to a small, local auto body shop and received the BEST service for which small business owners are often known.

Speaking of small businesses, we have one son in particular who loves to support local “mom and pop” shops and restaurants. I think I’m starting to understand why. There is just something about the service, friendliness and personal attention in these little enterprises that you don’t see in larger chain establishments where customers are just another number. Now, don’t get me wrong…I know there are exceptions on each side of the coin. But I believe those larger, successful corporations who have been able to maintain excellent customer and employee relations have had to purpose to “stay small” no matter how successful they become.

A couple years ago, I was talking to a young preacher who is like a son to me and, as we discussed and rejoiced in the different ways that the Lord was blessing the ministry, some of my parting words to him were,

“Stay small.”

He knew what I was saying. He knew I was telling him that no matter how much the Lord chooses to bless, he needs to stay humble.

When God allows us to experience any type of success, how very tempting it is for us to begin to think we are really “something” instead of acknowledging God and giving HIM all the glory! A perfect yet sad illustration of this is in the life of King Saul. It is a story of a humble young man who allowed pride as well as jealousy to get the best of him. If you are familiar at all with the story, you will know that his failure to continue to walk in humility led to a downward spiral of rebellion toward God that included disobedience, lying, blaming others and rage. (You can read all about it in the book of I Samuel, beginning in chapter 9)

A portion of the Prophet Samuel’s reproof to King Saul reads:

And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? I Samuel 15:17

Although Saul started out small, he failed to stay small.

In II Samuel we read:

“And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.” II Samuel 22:28

This verse was a solemn reminder to me this morning of what God thinks of pride. Friends, I don’t know about you but I would much rather “stay small” than have God bring me down.