It's the Little Things
Which make a man.
There are few things more touching than a good confession.
Sometimes you don’t even remember what sins you were confessing, only the advice given to you in return. I think that goes to show just how merciful God is, that He allows a good confession to clear your conscience completely, so you can focus on extracting the necessary lessons to further grow in virtue and keep steady on your walk of faith.
All I remember was that as I was walking away from the confessional, I kept thinking about the words the priest had spoken:
“It’s the little, private things that truly showcase the heart of someone. The big things, the impressive acts of charity, justice, and faith, we can very easily perform to serve ourselves, because it feels good or because it makes us be seen by the world.
What matters most is the little things that you do when no one is looking and when no one will know, because those things show where your heart really is and if your deepest motivation is loving God first and foremost.”
I’m paraphrasing, of course, but that was the main message.
It resonated strongly with me because it came at a time when I was really beating myself up over not doing enough, feeling inadequate and guilty for not yet being the man I thought God wanted me to be for Him.
But his words reassured me and made me recognize that even though I’ll always need to be repentant when failing, and that a healthy measure of guilt when you fail to honor God is normal, it’s still important to recognize the fact that you are trying. God does care about those things that no one else cares about.
That time you told the truth even though it was difficult.
All those prayers for someone who despises you.
The effort to pursue sanctity in your daily life.
All of that, God sees and recognizes, and you should too. Not to feel prideful about it, but to achieve real humility, contentment, and peace of the heart.
Because true humility is seeing yourself as you are, and in true humility lies the way to happiness, virtue, and the dwelling of God in you:
Recognizing your effort is not pride. Recognizing the fact that you are trying your best is not pride. And beating yourself up for not being perfect is not humility.
Fight with all your might against the sins that still haunt you, but don’t let that fight distract you from the unending love that God has for you. Don’t fail to recognize His grace and the changes He’s already made in your heart.
I believe God sees the things you do in private, and they show Him where your heart truly is. He sees the little things that no one else sees, He knows the struggle and how much you’re trying to fight against your sins and vices.
The result of the fight matters, sure, but as a secondary thing. What matters most is the complete surrendering of your heart in the little things, so He can fill it with His spirit and use it for greater things.
The little efforts are the most selfless ones, and the ones you should recognize. If you fail, repent, and try again. Do not dwell on the mistakes you’ve made nor let yourself believe that God only sees you if you’re making great works in His name.
What He wants is your heart, and what proves your heart belongs to Him is what you do, alone, unrecognized, and out of a genuine desire to be more like Him.
And ironically, it’s when you give Him your heart that you’ll be able to pursue the big actions, the great works, the impressive endeavors to honor Him.
Stay faithful to God in the little things, and you’ll have a changed heart for the big ones.
He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
— Luke 16:10
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