RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

I’ve been writing about the necessity of repentance. I’m convinced there will be no true revival in the western world until a spirit of repentance exists among God’s people. But I’m afraid that when I speak of repentance, we tend to think of someone else’s need to repent. Yet it’s often what we consider the small sins in our own lives that hinder a mighty sweeping revival in our churches, communities, and nation. The little things can be so powerful.
I was preaching a citywide evangelistic meeting in Brazil. We were having marvelous services. On Saturday evening, the stadium in Sao Louis was packed. When I left the hotel to go to the stadium, I had spent much time in prayer and was prepared to proclaim the gospel to the 20,000 people in attendance.
I walked onto the soccer field, shook a man’s hand, and greeted him. I stood there for about thirty seconds before I was to step onto the platform. Suddenly I realized I was being bitten all over my body. I was covered with ants. These little creatures had attacked me in mass. I ran off the field and into a restroom. My clothes were covered with ants. They were in my hair, in my ears, and inside my shoes.
I had to be rushed back to the hotel. I showered to get rid of the ants and was given medication. Finally I returned to the stadium. I preached — and thousands came to Christ. I laughed with the pastors afterward and said, “The devil has done a lot of things to try to keep me from preaching the gospel. But that’s the first time he sent ants to attack me.”
I later thought about what had happened. One of God’s smallest creatures almost shut down a great evangelistic campaign. Then I realized a great truth: it’s the little things that thwart the noblest plans of God’s people. The small things can prevent us from being effective for Christ. Perhaps we need to remember the question God asked the prophet Zechariah: “Who despises the day of small things?”
It’s the small things in your heart that make you usable in the kingdom of God — and it’s the “little sins” that hinder your effectiveness for Christ. Don’t despise the day of small things. Small things may determine how far you go or how fast you run this race of life. Find victory over the small things, and you’ll find victory in the major areas of your life.