As we enter into 2015 let’s be encouraged by a simple truth:  “Toads aren’t ugly they are just Toads,” a truth that when out will make 2015, something to croak about. (Ugh!)  The lesson is that as we look at life we often will overestimate or underestimate the possibilities that God has set before us.  In other words we have the potential to take a situation that God has given us and either miss it completely or make it into a giant obstacle that we cannot get past. Toads for instance are great for the environment and especially our gardens, but with all their warts some may run get a shovel and remove them, some will miss them completely while the rest will believe the myths of getting warts etc… and wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole.  All of which are ways that we may deal with life’s situations.   But like toads, God given opportunities are very good, nothing more and nothing less!   Let us embrace all that God sets before us in this coming year not avoiding them, overlooking them, removing them or being fearful of them.

Genesis 1:24-25 (ESV)

24  And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.

25  And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Our culture has an insatiable appetite for the epic, those things in life that get our adrenaline rushing. The unfortunate truth is that this mentality has infiltrated the church as well. Bigger the building, number of staff, attenders and programs all have become a sign of success. Yet, as we look at scripture there is no indication that God measures success by human standard but works in mysterious and in ways that are at times hidden to mankind. In Zechariah 4:10 (ESV) the Word says, For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” Commentators suggest that that older men would weep when they saw the smaller size (glory) of the the future temple, but eventually would rejoice when they experienced the greatness of His future Glory. Though this was prophetic word for the people of Israel, one day, a truly glorious day Christ will return for His bride, (the church) which is of a incomparable magnitude. As we journey together awaiting that day let us be faithful and notice the small things that God is doing in our lives, homes, church and community. Let us not compare the past with the present lest we may weep and miss out on what God is doing now.  Let us rejoice and be glad that God’s Kingdom work continues through us.