At some point in your life, you will most likely create a goal to improve something about your circumstances. It could be to spend more time reading the Bible, get an education or a better job, healthier eating habits, or to start exercising. Whatever that goal is, anytime you want to improve your life, it will be a struggle. This is for a number of reasons, changing habits and ways of thinking can be hard; it takes time and patience. If the goal is about growing closer to God or doing more work for His Kingdom, then the enemy will try to prevent you from achieving your goals. He may even use your loved ones to discourage you.

When you encounter issues after you have created your goal, focus on taking the first step. You have taken the time to think about a goal and how to make an improvement. There will be times when you do not feel like taking the next step or you do not know what to do next. When these times occur, pray and remember Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. . .”. God celebrates us taking a step, He rejoices in seeing the work begin. But it is important to note that verse has more to it. Not only does God celebrate us just for trying, but He celebrates even the smallest effort.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬. A plumb line was like a measuring stick. Zerubbabel picked up a measuring stick and God rejoiced! Just the fact that you make the effort to improve causes God to rejoice. The hardest step is the first and God is right there rejoicing that you are even getting ready to start.

And remember, no matter how bad we mess up or miss the mark, there is nothing at all that can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus. Romans chapter 8, verse 38 says. ” . . . neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That last portion of the promise is because we believe in Jesus. Once we believe in Jesus, there is absolutely nothing and no one that can ever separate us from the love of God.

Let’s pray. Thank You Jesus for celebrating our small beginnings. Thank You for loving us even when we fail or give up. As we try to improve ourselves, help us to keep our eyes on You, Jesus. In Your name we pray, amen.