This summer I had the chance to see the “biggest rubber duck in the world!” And it was huge! However, I must admit I was just a bit disappointed. Perhaps my expectations were too high or maybe I was just foolish to think that the duck would be floating in the waters of Lake Erie. But there it sat on a patch of grass.

Besides getting a lot of attention, all the duck really did was make us smile and make us small. Maybe not everything is meant to be big. And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with being small.

I am a small person. Always the shortest one in my class at school, I never grew past 5 feet. I married a man a foot taller than me to make up for my shortcoming. Eventually even my children were bigger than me and I have grandchildren who tower above me! And now that I am in a wheelchair I am even smaller.

There’s a popular book right now called Theo of Golden. Near the end of the book, it is said of Theo that “His decision to live small made him larger than life.” The reference describes how he lived, not his stature. There is a part of us that needs to be small! It’s called our ego.

Some years ago, as I was praying at the altar, a lady came to pray with me and for me. As she prayed aloud, however, I became embarrassed and troubled. For some reason she began telling God all about the good qualities she saw in me, building me up before Him! So as she continued to pray in this way, I was talking to God myself, silently in my heart. Over and over in my mind I repeatedly prayed, “Keep me small, Lord. Keep me small.” The next morning, I found myself in a rather angry argument. As words went back and forth, something was said that hurt me, and I felt belittled. In frustration I said, “Sometimes you make me feel so small.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, my anger disappeared and peace took its place as I realized how quickly God had answered my prayer!

Being a small person is not about self-deprecation or self-loathing. By the term ‘small person’ I am referring to someone who is not highminded, thinking more highly of themselves than they should, and who is not puffed up with pride and an inflated ego. Having a small ego does not necessitate having a poor self-image. It’s about humility. And in the words of Rick Warren, it’s “not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

Neither does being a small person mean you can’t strive for success or hold a high position. A small ego doesn’t mean we can’t do great things. But it does mean that whatever we do and wherever we are, we focus not on ourselves, but rather on those around us. It also involves a willingness to take a lower place and to live our best without the need for recognition. That can be hard!

It’s difficult, because we like and need to be appreciated and the Bible teaches us to honor one another. But when that need for appreciation becomes the motivation and driving force behind our endeavors, we are in serious trouble. The Bible is clear. We are to work for God’s glory and for His approval. Colossians 3:23, 24 gives this instruction: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward…” Elsewhere in Scripture we are warned that, for those who do things to be seen, that admiration is the only reward they will get!

John had a great ministry. He preached a powerful message of repentance and had many followers. But when One greater than him arrived on the scene, some of his followers left him to follow this new Teacher. How did he react? Was he jealous? Angry? Disappointed? John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, so he was willing to be made small. He declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease!” This should be the attitude of us all.

Big ducks may get a lot of attention, but small people will get the greater reward. Lord, keep me small!

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