Simply Tuesday

1. Embrace smallness as a gift, not a liability

Small is an invitation to participate in something greater than ourselves.

Redefine smallness. Rather than viewing smallness as insignificance or inadequacy, see it as an opportunity to connect with something larger than yourself. Small moments, seemingly insignificant tasks, and ordinary days are portals into experiencing the kingdom of God. By embracing your smallness, you:

• Gain perspective on your place in the world
• Become more attuned to God's presence in everyday life
• Find relief from the pressure to be "big" or important
• Discover meaning in the mundane

Cultivate a "Tuesday mindset" that values the ordinary and finds beauty in the unremarkable. This shift in perspective allows you to see the sacred in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.

2. Find home and belonging right where you are

Home isn't either beautiful or not, happy or sad, full or empty. Home is both. Home is and.

Redefine home. Home is not just a physical place, but a state of being. It's where you find belonging, even in the midst of transitions, uncertainties, and imperfections. To find home:

• Embrace the "and" of life - joy and sorrow, beauty and mess
• Look for "benches" - places of rest and connection in your everyday surroundings
• Practice being present in your current circumstances
• Recognize that home is wherever you bring your whole self, including your relationship with God

Creating a sense of home doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means finding peace and belonging in the midst of life's complexities and contradictions.

3. Focus on your unique "eight-foot assignment"

Success means recognizing which part belongs to me as I depend on Christ and which parts belong to others.

Know your role. Like a lifeguard responsible for a specific section of the pool, focus on the unique assignment God has given you. This "eight-foot assignment" is your sphere of influence and responsibility. To embrace your assignment:

• Identify your specific gifts, talents, and opportunities
• Let go of comparison and the need to do everything
• Trust that others are fulfilling their roles
• Remember that your small part contributes to a larger whole

By focusing on your specific assignment, you avoid the overwhelm of trying to do everything and the discouragement of comparing yourself to others. Your faithfulness in your small area of responsibility is what matters most.

4. Let love lead instead of being pushed by fear

When fear pushes me around, I feel small, the kind I want to run from. But I can't because the ground beneath my fast-moving feet feels more like a treadmill than a path that leads somewhere.

Choose love over fear. Fear pushes us to build walls, compete, and hide. Love, on the other hand, leads us to connect, create, and move forward with purpose. To let love lead:

• Recognize when fear is driving your decisions and actions
• Remember that you are already loved and accepted by God
• Move towards others with compassion and empathy
• Trust in God's guidance rather than trying to control outcomes

Love provides a solid foundation for growth and meaningful action, while fear keeps us trapped in cycles of anxiety and self-protection. By choosing to be led by love, you can face challenges and uncertainties with confidence and grace.

5. Move downward with gladness, like a child

Jesus does not turn away from the world, but turns to face it. Jesus came down. He turns toward. He makes his face to shine upon. He shows compassion. He sits with.

Embrace childlike faith. Jesus often praised the faith of children and encouraged adults to become more like them. This doesn't mean being immature, but rather:

• Trusting easily and openly
• Being present in the moment
• Embracing wonder and curiosity
• Accepting help and guidance

Moving "downward with gladness" means willingly embracing humility and dependence on God. It's about finding joy in simplicity and trust, rather than constantly striving for control and status.

6. Create safe spaces to feel insecure and connect

If I'm competing with you, I can't connect with you.

Prioritize authentic connection. In a world that often values competition and perfection, create spaces where people can be vulnerable and real. To foster these connections:

• Be willing to share your own struggles and insecurities
• Listen without judgment
• Offer empathy and understanding
• Create environments where people feel safe to be themselves

True community is built on authenticity and mutual support. By creating safe spaces for vulnerability, you allow for deeper connections and genuine relationships to form.

7. Turn shock into confession, shame into laughter

Refuse to be shocked, confess your smallness, and receive grace, forgiveness, renewal, and belief.

Embrace imperfection. Instead of being shocked by your mistakes or shortcomings, learn to confess them openly and find freedom in doing so. This process involves:

• Acknowledging your humanity and capacity for error
• Bringing your failures into the light through confession
• Receiving grace and forgiveness
• Learning to laugh at yourself and find joy in imperfection

By refusing to be shocked by your own mistakes, you create space for growth, healing, and genuine connection with others who share similar struggles.

8. Chase flashes of vision while embracing the present

Chasing the flash is a way of putting faith into action. I may not know where this is going, but I have seen a glimpse of the goodness of the Lord.

Balance vision and contentment. While it's important to be content in the present, also be open to "flashes" of vision for the future. These glimpses of possibility can guide your path forward. To chase the flash:

• Pay attention to moments of inspiration or clarity
• Write down ideas and impressions as they come
• Discuss your visions with trusted friends or mentors
• Take small steps of faith based on what you've seen

Remember that these flashes are often just glimpses. The full picture may not be clear, but you can move forward in faith based on the direction you've been shown.

9. Value small beginnings and incremental progress

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

Celebrate small starts. Big accomplishments often have humble beginnings. Instead of despising or overlooking small steps, learn to value and celebrate them. To embrace small beginnings:

• Recognize that every big project starts small
• Find joy in the process, not just the end result
• Document and celebrate incremental progress
• Trust that God is at work, even when growth seems slow

By valuing small beginnings, you cultivate patience, perseverance, and faith. This mindset allows you to find meaning and purpose in the journey, not just the destination.

Last updated: September 13, 2024