When I was a young man, just 20 years of age, I was singing and playing my guitar at a youth camp just outside of Birmingham, Alabama. After one service, a camp counselor brought a young teenage girl to me who was crying profusely. The counselor said to the girl, “Tell him what you just told me.” The little girl was sobbing as she recounted a vision she had just had … a vision that I was a part of. The little girl simply said, “I just had a vision of you singing on a stage in front of thousands of people.” And then the sobbing continued. My 20-year-old mind was intrigued by such an awesome thought … little ol’ Me … singing on a stage in front of thousands of people! I wasn’t certain whether the vision was “contrived” or “from the heart of God,” but I was pretty impressed with the thought of it, just to be honest.
One year went by and I had NOT sung on stage in front of thousands of people yet. I had sung at a few Bible Studies and small gatherings … but definitely not in front of thousands of people.
Five years went by … still no stage in front of thousands. But, I had sung in several Youth Camps, Youth Rallies and a couple of concerts in front of groups of 50-100 people.
Ten years went by … then fifteen …. then twenty …. still no “fulfillment” to the vision. I had sung in several churches along the way, and played for groups of 100-200 on many occasions but nothing close to thousands. I had sung and played at several weddings, Vacation Bible Schools, children’s church services, nursing homes, prisons, and was even the regular worship leader at my home church for two decades.
And now, here we are, more than 35 years later … I still sing and play once a week at a 150-200 member church. I also sing sometimes at men’s Bible studies, and some Christian gatherings. But, not once have I been on a stage singing and playing my guitar in front of thousands of people.
It wasn’t until just recently that I got a better “revelation” of what that little girl’s vision was all about. You see, I started recounting all of the people that I’ve sung to and played for over the years … all those children’s churches, prisons, youth camps and rallies, concerts, worship services and Bible studies. I’m guessing that I’ve sung and played for at least 100,000 people over the past 35 years. When I first heard the vision, I imagined myself playing in stadiums and concert halls in front of thousands of people, but I don’t think that was what God had in mind. I think He wanted me to play music and minister to individuals … individuals who, when grouped together collectively, numbered in the thousands. God sees individuals … man sees crowds.
So you see, God may have some really big things for you to do … in small amounts along the way. Sometimes, the only way that “thousands” will be reached is “one individual at a time.”
Zechariah 4:10 “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”
