Why Little is the New Big
I preached on this several weeks ago. I thought it might make a decent article too…here it goes.
Exodus 23:27-30 (NIV) - “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
What a frustrating text this can be—a promise from God, something that stirs excitement. A promised land He will prepare for you, clearing out your enemies and going ahead to fight your battles. But there’s one small caveat: “I will not do this in a single year; I will do it little by little.”
In our personal lives, careers, and even in the growth of a church, it’s natural to yearn for big, instant results. We crave breakthroughs that happen quickly and dramatically. Yet, as I’ve reflected on Scripture and my own experiences, I’ve come to realize that, more often than not, God doesn’t move through big, bold leaps. Over the past several months, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for, and a desire to know more intimately, the God of Little by Little.
The Pattern of Little By Little
It’s almost ironic when you stop and think about it—how desperately we crave things to happen quickly and in grand ways, yet the most important and meaningful things in our lives unfold little by little.
- How do you raise your kids, watching them grow up before your eyes? Little by little.
- How do you build your nest egg for retirement? Little by little.
- How will you reach your 10th, 25th, or 50th wedding anniversary? Little by little.
How did you get to where you are today? Whether it’s a fulfilling career, a healthy body, financial freedom, or a thriving marriage, chances are it didn’t happen overnight. You didn’t wake up one morning with a perfect career, a fit body, or a balanced budget. The milestones in our lives—whether celebrated or mourned—are typically the result of countless small decisions, moments of faith, and daily perseverance.
In the book of Exodus, God promises to drive out Israel's enemies "little by little," until they have increased enough to take possession of the land (Exodus 23:30). This gradual process wasn’t a delay or a setback; it was a necessary preparation for the people to grow into their new reality. It’s a reminder that growth, whether spiritual, emotional, or organizational, takes time. Rushing the process can lead to unpreparedness or even failure when we reach the next stage.
It turns out that all of the most meaningful and important things in your life usually unfold this way—your career, getting healthy, spiritual growth, friendships, even finishing college. Even the clutter in your attic didn’t accumulate overnight; it happened little by little.
Yet, we often find ourselves praying, begging, and requesting that God do things like a lightning strike—big and fast. But the truth is, God's timing and methods are more often compared to the gradual rising of the sun, illuminating our path little by little, rather than a sudden, overwhelming burst of light.
The Subtle in the Suddenly
You might be tempted to say, "But Jon, doesn’t Scripture mention things happening 'all of a sudden'?" And you’d be right. In Acts 2, it says suddenly there was a sound like a rushing wind. But think about this—how many days did the disciples wait, little by little, for the promised Holy Spirit to come? In Acts 16, we read that suddenly an earthquake shook the prison, freeing Paul and Silas. But how many hours did they sit there, chained, singing hymns in the dead of night? Yes, Abraham became the “Father of Many Nations,” but it took generations to see the fulfillment of that promise. And while the walls of Jericho fell in an instant, it happened only after the Israelites marched around them, one step at a time. We love the "all of a sudden" moments. They’re the dramatic breakthroughs that captivate us. But behind every "all of a sudden" is a season of subtle, quiet perseverance…little by little.
We love the "all of a sudden" moments. They’re the dramatic breakthroughs that captivate us. But behind every "all of a sudden" is a season of subtle, quiet perseverance…little by little.
Focus on the Right Increase
As leaders—whether in a church, business, or family—we often find ourselves praying for growth. But how often do we stop to ask, what kind of growth are we really seeking? My perspective shifted dramatically when I came across this verse in Exodus 23:30: “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.” Did you catch that? God was saying He would act little by little, until they had grown enough to fully take possession of what He was offering. It’s as if God was saying, “You’re waiting on Me to drive them out; I’m waiting on you to grow into the capacity where I can fully trust you to occupy it.”
If that doesn’t speak to us, I don’t know what will. How often do we find ourselves waiting for God to move, while He is patiently waiting for us to grow? It turns out that both we and God desire the same thing—growth. But while we’re asking God to bring the increase, He’s asking us to grow so that He can bring it.
In our culture, it’s easy to get caught up in the desire for instant success and visible results. But God’s way is often counter-cultural. In His Kingdom, growth usually starts with less—less of ourselves and more reliance on Him. It’s about deepening our roots rather than spreading them thin. The biggest fruit grows when we have the deepest roots. As we grow in spiritual maturity and character, we become more capable of handling the blessings and responsibilities God entrusts to us.
There’s No Reason to Hurry
One of the hardest lessons to learn is finding the right pace. If God is leading us on the path of Little by Little, then it’s not just about patience—it’s about walking at His speed, not rushing ahead. I’ll admit, this hasn’t been easy for me. But God is teaching me, little by little, to match His pace and appreciate the small steps. I’m learning to embrace the little instead of constantly longing for leaps.
I’m learning to embrace the little instead of constantly longing for leaps.
In doing so, I’ve realized that true growth isn’t about how fast we get there, but about moving in sync with God’s perfect timing.
In Exodus 23:29-30, God tells the Israelites He won’t drive out their enemies in a single year because the land would become desolate, and the wild animals too numerous for them. This wasn’t a delay out of punishment; it was for their protection. In the same way, what feels like a delay in our own lives might actually be God’s provision—ensuring we’re ready to step into the fullness of His plans when the time is right.
In a culture that glorifies speed and efficiency, waiting can often feel like failure. But the truth is, God is never in a rush. Jesus never ran; He walked, teaching us to align our pace with God’s timing.
Here’s a song I’ve had on repeat lately on the topic of pace. Check it out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—what area of your life do you feel God’s “little by little” the most?
