On September 11, 1995, a squirrel climbed on the Metro-North Railroad power lines near New York City. This set off an electrical surge, which weakened an overhead bracket. The loosened bracket allowed a wire to dangle toward the tracks, which tangled in a train. The train then tore down all the lines. As a result, 47,000 commuters were stuck in Manhattan for hours that evening.

If something as small as a squirrel can derail a major metropolitan transit system, what does that say about the “little things” in our lives? Some days, we face the temptation to cut corners and take shortcuts, thinking no one will notice, but in reality, the “little things” tend to define our lives. A brick wall consists of several small bricks. A crack or break in even one brick – usually undetected by the naked eye – can compromise the entire wall. So also, one little shortcut in our lives can undo years of good.

The “little things” of our lives include such activity as prayer, Bible study, church attendance, helping others – taking care of those important things we do that others may not see. If we skip over doing these little things, we may not detect immediate ramifications, but the long term damage shows up eventually.

When athletes take short cuts in practice, they pay for it in games. Preachers take short cuts in sermon preparation and the congregation pays for it on Sunday. Businessmen take short cuts with their business, and they eventually affect the “bottom line.”

Two Bible verses remind us of the need to take care of the little things in our lives:

“… be sure your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” – Galatians 6:7-9

And one from the mouth of Jesus himself:

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'” – Matthew 25:21

Let’s be sure to take care of all of those “little things” in our lives and watch the big things take care of themselves.