Little Things, Big Difference

The corona virus averages 125 nm in diameter—85 for the envelope and 20 for the spikes that stick out (generally 74 spikes per virus). That is small. A nanometer (nm) is one-billionth (10-9) of a meter. Paper averages 100,000 nm thick. That means it would take about 800 corona viruses stacked on top of each other to equal the thickness of the paper you are holding. Nevertheless, these little guys can cause big problems.

By contrast, little things can also do a lot of good. Some of Gigi’s cookbooks contain recipes calling for “a pinch of salt.” That “pinch” can spell the difference between success and failure of a dish. A little antibiotic can cure a fatal infection.

The death of Jesus seemed so inconsequential to most of his contemporaries. What could be significant about an itinerant preacher running afoul of the government and then being executed for it? No wonder the preaching of the cross was “foolishness” to cultured first-century Greeks. But that “little” event turned out to be much bigger than first appearance. It offers life to the world.

The Bible warns against little things that can derail us—the “little foxes that ruin the vineyards,” the “little leaven that leavens the whole lump” (which is why Paul did not permit even small sins in the church to go uncorrected).

But let us focus more on the little good things we can do. They also can make huge differences. What about a little kindness to a struggling sister? Or a brief encouragement to a brother burdened by bad news? Our little act can make things so much better. “You smiled at me!” said a stranger on the sidewalk. “I prayed this morning that if God loved me he would have someone smile at me today!” Jesus notices our small kindnesses —even the cup of cold water given in his name.