The Details

I had a Jewish friend who used to say, “God is in the details.” That means that the smallest things are important. Even if they seem infinitesimally tiny and insignificant to us, they matter. Dave was talking about product quality. He reasoned that if someone cared enough to give thought to what screws or other small components were used in making something, then it was likely a well-built piece of equipment.

Another Jewish man, Jesus, said something similar. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” The little things we do—helping others, teaching children’s classes, working in the clothes closet, cooking for others—these testify to the quality of our spirits. If we give great care and attention to the small things, we demonstrate that we’ll be faithful in the bigger things. So, in a way, the little things are even more important than the bigger ones, because it’s the details that speak to one’s character. And that’s where others will see God in us—in the details.

That’s something to think about.