Small Beginnings

After that, the Word of God came to me: "Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They'll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!" Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, "The seven lamps are the eyes of God probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.  - Zechariah 4:8-10 (The Message)

Everything we experience in life has a season. Some seasons in life will appear fruitful and be light and easy. Some seasons may be a little harder and seem like God has forgotten your dreams. No matter in which place you find yourself, I think the reminder in this passage is comforting. We should never despise a day of small beginnings.

The old saying is true. Rome wasn't built in a day. That is true in our lives as well. We cannot expect that the plan of God will unfold in your life in your timing, and you cannot expect that these things will start of gloriously. It is the times of a small beginning and the times you want to quit because it isn't happening on your time frame that God uses to build a foundation.

When you watch a construction project, sometimes it seems like it happens overnight. It seems like nothing has been happening, but all of a sudden this building comes out of nowhere. Until the foundation is stable, the work can't be done. If you shortcut the foundation, you have doomed yourself to collapse at the first sign of adversity.

Never discount a season in your life because of what your natural eyes see. You never know what eternal fruit is coming from this moment, or what foundation is being built in you to prepare yourself for the future God has in mind.
It is a foolish thing to despise the current season for something you haven't seen yet. Enjoy where you're at, be the best you can with where you're at, dream, and plan for the future. Just don't despise or resent the season you're in, because the fact is that it is a preparation for where you are going.