The Big Deal

In a comment on my last post, the idea of a NY City book signing was suggested. Boy - wouldn't that be fun! In the short term, I don't see it happening, but who knows?! God can do anything...

It's funny how He has a way of surprising us with His "bigness" by completely blowing our minds and doing something so wild and so beyond comprehension, just to "show off." For me, I have no "set" expectations for this book, other than I want to give it my best effort possible, presenting a sacrifice of praise to the Lord and enjoying the process of it all...but have you noticed how, in those times and situations, when we're giving it our best, but have no "plans" on how it's going to turn out, God seems to do the unexpected?

I've observed that, when people (uh, myself included) obey God's leading and then expect a certain thing to happen as a result of their obedience, it typically doesn't turn out the way they "planned." But, on the reverse, I've also noticed (in my life especially) that, again, when people obey Him but don't really think what they did was "any big deal," and therefore, don't have these "grandiose" expectations of exactly how it's going to turn out, that's when He typically makes it a big deal.

For example: look at the boy who offered his lunch to Jesus (the five loaves and two fish). It was a big lunch for him, and it was all he had. But in the company of 5000+ people, it really wasn't very much food. However, he gave his all to Jesus, not really expecting anything per se; if anything, his expectations were in that this was the great Rabbi, Who was rumored could do anything..."so here: this is what I have - do whatever." It's not that he wasn't expecting a good result to come out of his offering, it was just he probably wasn't expecting a specific result. And then Jesus did the miraculous: He multiplied that little offering into a massive feast that fed probably around 10,000 people 'till ALL were satisfied!

With me and this book, sure, I'm hoping for the best...but my expectations are open ended. I really don't know how the Lord is going to use it, if it will go very far, if it's a learning experience, or has another means or end that will glorify Him in some different way. I just don't know. I feel like that little boy with his lunch. "It's what I have, and in the company of so many authors throughout the world, so many best-sellers, dynamic preachers and inspirational speakers, in the sea of genius chefs and highly credited nutritionists...my little book is pretty small and insignificant. Nevertheless, here it is, I know You're the Great Author and Perfecter of our faith; do whatever..."

This kind of follows the idea of my last post: "Success to What End?" We can hope for the best, expect the good and the great to come out of our obedience, but we have to be careful about "planning" on what that good and great looks like. God's idea of "great things" may not necessarily line up with what we consider as "great." And then again, what we think is a little deal - God sees it as a "big deal." He always keeps us on our toes.