Sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
Our back lawn was cut yesterday and it makes the garden look so much better. It took no more than half an hour and the area is now transformed for a ragged mess to a clean, smooth space. The same is true of what we wear. Men know that changing the tie can make the suit look fantastic. Women know that the right necklace or scarf enhances the blouse. You see, sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
I sometimes ask staff at The Belfrey to consider one small change that would make a big difference to their work. It’s fascinating to hear the answers. Sometimes I can see a light go on in their mind as they realise that things that hinder work don’t always have to stay the same. Things can change. And sometimes it’s small changes that can make a big difference.
Most of us don’t think we can make a big difference. But we can. But we have to start where we are. And we have to start. And that usually happens one small change at a time. Robert Kennedy famously expressed it like this:
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.
Together, we can see change. We can see transformation. We can be part of God’s transformation – of our lives, our family, our work, our street, our community, region and nation. And that normally happens one small change at a time.
Change is one way of translating the bible-word ‘repent’ – as it basically means ‘turn around’ – make a change (see, for instance Mark 1:15). There are of course times when a big change is necessary. So my mum is moving house very soon after living in the same home for over 40 years. I understand that for her that feels like a big change. People change jobs – and that can be a big change. Getting married is a big change. Choosing to follow Jesus is a big change as it involves a re-orientation of your life and priorities. But in all these things, if we look carefully they actually involve many small decision and lots of accumulated small changes along the way. You see, small changes can makes a big difference.
I’m thinking about making a few changes in my life. In how I use my time. In how I do certain things. In my working patterns. They may actually be quite small changes. Many may not notice the difference. But if a few small changes can make a big difference, then it’ll be worth it.
What about you? Think about your life. Your work. Your family. Your home. Your TV viewing. Your prayer life. Your friends. Your diet. Your fitness. Your clothes. Your sleeping patterns. Your community involvement. Your spending habits. Is there a small change you could implement – maybe right now – that would make a big difference?
Discipleship Blog 
Reblogged this on verbalswagg.
Some good thoughts here.. I think I’m unusual… I think about change all the time! It’s more a matter of…for how long can we keep things up? And what can be created into a habit? I think some changes take some time…require perseverance and even accountability. I get frustrated because sometimes there seems to be a “machine” in place… blocking the change I want to see. However… the a little can go a long way, if I ask the Lord to give me eyes to see it.