It’s
the Little Things in Life
That Determine the Big Things
…Thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of
thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
Several
centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a Japanese artist to paint a
particular species of bird for him. Months passed, then years. Finally, the
Emperor went personally to the artist’s studio to ask for an explanation.
The
artist set a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen minutes, had
completed a painting of a bird. It was a masterpiece! The Emperor, admiring
both the painting and the artist’s great skill, asked why there had been such a
long delay.
The
artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He pulled from them
armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, feet, claws, eyes, beaks –
virtually every aspect of a bird, from virtually every angle. He placed these
silently before the Emperor, who nodded in understanding. The magnificence of
any “whole” can never be greater than the magnificence of any singular detail.
To
have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within that year, strive
for an excellent month, and within that month, strive for an excellent day.
Within the day, strive for an excellent hour. An excellent life is the sum of
many excellent moments!
(God’s Little Devotional
Book, Honor Books, 1995)
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