Conventional wisdom tells “don’t sweat the small stuff.” There are even several popular books on the market right now that use that theme. That is excellent advice for those of us who are perfectionists, so very prone to driving ourselves crazy over little details that won’t make a lot of difference a few days from now let alone ten years from now. When it comes to our daily walk with God, it is the little things that can make all of the difference – ignoring them can be downright deadly. It is often the little things that make the biggest long term difference in our lives and are ignored at our own peril.
Right in the middle of a beautiful love story, there is an interruption. It seems very out of place at first glance. The bride contemplates the sound of her lover’s voice. It is sweet, and He sure looks good. One of the most beautiful tributes to love ever written comes two verses later—“My beloved is mine and I am his,” restated more famously in Song of Sol. 6:3, where we read, “I am my beloved’s and he is mine.” In between admiration and the bride’s declaration, though, is that interruption. Here is the passage from Song of Sol. 2:14-16:
14 “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your form, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your form is lovely.” 15 “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.” 16 “My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies.
Do you see it? Right in the middle of the bride’s unfolding monologue of love and commitment, we encounter some little foxes. How did they get in there? This is the same question that needs to be asked by every Christian who is serious maximum impact in serving God. How did those foxes get in there? The little thoughts that creep in unnoticed. Eyes that wonder where they should not go, or ears that listen to things best unheard. Things I touch that are better left alone, and places my feet take me that I should not be. Each one a small compromise. No one will notice – what could it hurt? Everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn’t I? As Ralph Waldo Emerson said aptly said, “Sow a thought, and you reap an action. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” It all starts with the little things – the little thoughts that run through the vineyard of the mind. You have to catch the foxes right there or they will eventually ruin the vineyard.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not advocating some kind of legalistic or restrictive form of Christianity where we are constantly worried about our salvation or God’s scorn. I am simply reminding you of how easy it is to catch a little fox so you don’t later have to slay a big ugly fire-breathing dragon. When thoughts become actions and actions habits, we indirectly form our character which is the ultimate pathway to our destiny. A life well lived is no accident – it is arrived at one decision at a time, by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4, 5). That will ultimately determine how well you fulfill your God-appointed destiny and the quality of your daily relationship with Jesus Christ. His voice is sweet. His form is lovely and His vineyards are in blossom, waiting for you to enjoy. Sweat the small stuff – catch the little foxes before they ruin the whole vineyard.
Thanks, Dr. Flynn, for this post. I think anyone who has spent time working on a farm can deeply appreciate this “interlude” in the love story. Whether they are foxes or other “critters,” they sneak in at night into a healthy patch and bite off the blooms and stems. The plant itself looks healthy, but it doesn’t bear much fruit because the blossoms preceding the fruit growth get broken. No amount of watering, fertilizing, or cultivating fixes the problem. The critters have to be dealt with.
My problem on the farm was always with racoons rather than foxes. Same result, however – they would wipe out a full hen house in no time and get either the eggs or the hens. I lost 1/2 dozen chickens in one night one time – the racoon climbed straight up the side of the hen house, went across a electircal wire and in through a window I left cracked for air circulation. That was his last meal – hope he liked it. He sure did look surprised when I interrupted dinner.
I have had too many foxes grow into fire breathing dragons on my watch when I have failed to catch the little foxes. It take courage to confront things when they are small because it is so easy to delay. God help us to catch the little foxes when they are still little!