Focus on the Little Things

As we cultivate a spiritual attitude of mindfulness and gratitude, we will find that our perspective will begin to shift, and we will appreciate more what God has done for us.

We have all fallen into the trap of repetitiveness. For many, it starts by getting up every morning at the same time, traveling to work the same way, sometimes not even remembering how we got there, or perhaps performing the same tasks at home every day and losing track of what we have done and what is left to do. LORD willing, Sunday is different—or is it? Perhaps it has also become repetitive—just another chore we do out of habit.

For many, our routines are what make us, and no doubt, many of us find comfort in the predictability they provide. But our routines can become meaningless, devoid of any spiritual or physical value. Each day merges into another in a repetitive cycle of work, chores, and fewer and fewer moments of meditation and focusing on what God wants of us. When this happens, we will undoubtedly feel a growing disconnect from God, that is from our real purpose of being.

As people of faith, we must turn to Scripture for guidance and inspiration. We know we should find solace in prayer, strength in the teachings of the Scriptures, and wisdom in the stories of those who have walked the path before us. But do those sources of spiritual inspiration seem distant? Are their messages silenced or drowned out by the noise of our busy lives? Unfortunately, for many of us, they often are.

So, do we long for a spiritual reawakening, a rekindling of our faith, as we should, or do we just go about our daily lives thinking things will change, and we will get back to God in due course? Or do we contemplate and take encouragement and strength from the divine creation that surrounds us every day? So, where should we look for such encouragement?

Have you ever heard a street performer who made you sit back, enjoy, and appreciate their God-given talent? Have you ever heard someone play the violin in the subway or on a subway train, and remember the beautiful sound, given the acoustic properties of the surrounding surfaces? Or have you just gone past these people and thought how they were wasting their time?

Furthermore, have you ever heard someone playing your favorite hymn on a piano and wondered why it made you feel so good? Did you notice how it gave you a sense of peace, perhaps even a feeling of connection to something greater than yourself? Perhaps this experience has brought to mind Psalm 150:4: “Praise him with the timbrel and dance, praise him with the strings and pipe!” (RSV).

With its ability to transcend the ordinary and touch the heart and mind, music should remind us that beauty and inspiration are found even in the most unexpected places. It is a testament to the power of human expression of specific God-given talent and a reflection of the divine creativity infused in all creation.

Have you ever thought about taking some time out of your day to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life and God’s creation? When one does, there is so much more to see. If we pay more attention to the little things in life, we will notice all God does for us and all His incredibly complex creation surrounding us. Perhaps we will notice the warmth of the sun on our face, the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind, the smell of mown grass in the spring, the laughter of children playing, and the beauty of freshly cut flowers. We will savor the taste of food, the comfort of the home we have been blessed with, the companionship of friends and family, and the strength and encouragement we receive and give to our brothers and sisters. Perhaps by doing this, we will see the world with new eyes, appreciating the beauty and wonder surrounding us and the surety of Christ’s return, as sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening.

Additionally, if we take a little time, we can find spiritual encouragement in everyday moments, small acts of kindness, and unexpected encounters that often bring a smile to our faces. A kind word given and/or received can go a long way to encourage better behavior, or just a more enjoyable day. So can a smile to a stranger. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the ecclesia in Philippi, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Ultimately, we don’t need to wait for grand gestures or extraordinary events to experience encouragement and the spiritual growth that follows. It is there in the everyday moments, in the ordinary details of life, if only we take the time to notice and appreciate them. By incorporating mindfulness into our daily routine, we can grow spiritually and be more at peace, always assured that God is with us and will provide all that is needful.

Each morning, we can take a few moments to center ourselves, breathe deeply, focus on the present moment, and appreciate all God has provided for us. We should give thanks for the gifts of life, for our health, our family and friends. Additionally, we should seek to continually express gratitude for the simple things, for the sunshine, the rain, the food on our table, the roof over our head, the simple smile of a loved one or stranger. We have no reason to be anxious about anything. As we know, Christ said, “Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29).

As we cultivate a spiritual attitude of mindfulness and gratitude, we will find that our perspective will begin to shift, and we will appreciate more what God has done for us. We will take the time to appreciate all the little things. Doing so will make us feel more connected to God’s creation and more aware of the divine presence that permeates everything. If we do this, we will find joy and encouragement in everyday moments, in the simple, little things that once seemed insignificant.

When we do this, we will start to notice the kindness of strangers, the generosity of colleagues and the love of our family and friends. We will more clearly see the beauty in nature, the wonder in creation, and the healing power of God’s word. We will also find encouragement in the words of Scripture, uplifting music, and the inspiring stories of others who have striven to put on the Fruit of the Spirit, as we must do.

As we do those things, we should realize that spiritual encouragement isn’t something we have to seek in far-off places or extraordinary experiences. It is all around us, in the everyday moments, in the ordinary details of our lives, if only we open our hearts and minds to receive it.

Perhaps the next time we see someone in need, we will offer a helping hand. Not to receive something in return, but because we can. The positive feeling that comes with helping someone can be significant. Not only can it make that person’s day, but it can also make ours. It might be a small act of kindness, a simple gesture, but it can make a difference in someone’s life. And in that moment, we can feel a deeper connection to our faith, a reminder that even the smallest acts of service or kindness can be a source of spiritual encouragement, not just to the other person, but to us as well. Again, as we put on the Fruit of the Spirit, we aren’t the only ones to benefit. The Apostle Paul states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

Living a spiritual life isn’t just about attending ecclesial activities, reading the Bible, or praying. It is about embodying Scriptural teachings in our daily lives, treating others with kindness and compassion, being a source of light and hope to all we encounter, both in the ecclesia and outside.

As we continue our life journey, we will find that life is richer and more meaningful when we appreciate all the small things and receive encouragement from them. We will find joy and encouragement in the everyday moments, in the little things that had once seemed inconsequential.

Any Bible scholar will tell you that life isn’t about achieving worldly goals or accumulating possessions. It is about connecting with others, making a difference in the world, and living a life of purpose and meaning—one that seeks to follow Scriptural instruction continuously, always striving to give more than we receive.

Ultimately, even amid life’s challenges, we can always find spiritual encouragement in the little things, in the everyday moments that remind us of God’s love and the beauty of His creation. For it is often in these little things that we find the greatest blessings, the deepest connections, and the most profound reminders of our faith.

Peter Bilello,
Ann Arbor Ecclesia, MI