She walks up to me after I finish speaking about God-sized dreams and nervously inquires if we can have a conversation. I nod, and we find a corner apart from the crowd. She leans in as if she’s about to share a scandalous confession and says, “My dreams are too small.” She shares her desires to raise her kids to love Jesus, make a difference in her neighborhood, and serve at her church.
I smile and answer, “I think your dreams are just right. A God-sized dream isn’t really about size at all—it’s about what perfectly fits your heart and His purpose for your life.” She responds, “But others are doing bigger things for God—like going far away to serve Him. I feel like my life isn’t enough.” Those words echo what I’ve heard from thousands of other women. Somehow we’ve believed the lie that what we do needs to be flashy, noticeable, and worthy of headlines in order to be spiritual.
Yet, the more I look at what matters to God, the more I’ve become convinced that isn’t true. My husband and I keep this verse in our office:
“Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11
One phrase in particular stands out to me, seek to lead a quiet life. In our busy, noisy, get-ahead culture, those words are revolutionary. Yes, there may be times when God asks us to go on intense adventures with Him. But I believe we underestimate how often His invitation is simply for us to be faithful where we are with who He’s already put in front of us. As a friend of mine recently said, “A lot of ordinary days add up to an extraordinary life.”
With that in mind, I’d like to challenge all of us to make three new, wildly different goals.
First, let’s resolve to intentionally say no more often. If we’re doing something just because we should then it’s essential to pause and ask, “God, is this really Your best for me or is this just adding extra noise to my life?”
Next, let’s resolve to make room for rest. Isaiah 30:15 says,
“You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence.”
We need a weekly Sabbath and also intentional times to simply unplug and recharge. This isn’t selfish, it’s essential for a lifetime of service.
Finally, let’s change our idea of what we think really matters. What seems huge and popular is often small to God. And what goes unnoticed in our world is often a highlight from heaven’s perspective.
As the woman at the conference and I wrap up our conversation, I hug her and say, “You’re doing more for the kingdom than you realize. You’re making a difference beyond what you can see. Your ‘small’ is worth more than you could ever measure.” I’m saying the same to all of us today.
It’s not the size of a life or dream that determines its impact; it’s the size of the God who empowers it.
Holley Gerth is an ordinary woman who’s learning how much she’s loved by an extraordinary God. She enjoys helping other women embrace that truth as a best-selling author, life coach, and speaker. Holley would love to have coffee with you one day. Until then, you can subscribe to her free devotionals at holleygerth.com and find encouragement through her books like You’re Loved No Matter What .
This article originally appeared in HomeLife Magazine.
