I have a little ritual every morning when I arrive at the church. I dump my stuff in my office, grab a coffee mug and head to the copy room.  I turn on the Keurig, put my mug in place, insert a coffee pod, and press the brew button. Then, while I’m waiting for the water to warm up and the coffee to drip, I grab a broom out of my closet, unlock the office entrance door, and sweep the outside front step carpet. It’s my small, daily contribution to cleanliness and upkeep around the church. I think the rest of the staff laughs at me, but I find it satisfying.

Heaven knows I’m not OCD—have you ever seen my desk?—but there’s something comforting about bringing a little order to my world at the start of each day.

Lately, while standing outside soaking in the morning sun, preparing for my little sweeping routine, I’ve noticed the flower beds could use some attention. Each spring, a landscaping company lays down a thick coat of mulch, and we host regular “Facility Fellowship” workdays where volunteers pitch in. But this summer—with all the rain—weeds have been popping up, even in the most thoroughly mulched areas.

So, I’ve added five minutes to my routine.

I set a timer on my phone and head to the nearest mulched bed that needs attention. And I pull weeds— for five minutes. That’s it. When the alarm rings, I stop and head back inside. I get some fresh air, a bit of vitamin D, and maybe even a little stretch. (It’s sad what passes for exercise when you have a desk job.)

But here’s the thing: It’s making a difference. A big one. I’ve only been at it for a little over a week, but I’ve managed to clear a significant portion of the beds. It’s a noticeable improvement.

It got me thinking.

We often underestimate the impact of small, consistent effort—and overestimate the energy it will take to make a real difference in our world. We see the clutter in our lives—spiritual, emotional, physical—and feel overwhelmed. “I don’t read enough. I should exercise. I need to pray more. I should really check in with people.” The list grows long and disheartening, and because it all feels so big, we do nothing. We stall out before we even begin.

This is especially true in our spiritual lives. We sense the Spirit inviting us to become more like Jesus, but the enemy whispers, “That’s too big. It’s just the way you are. You’ll never change.” And before we even take a step, we’re defeated. We miss out on the joy of even a small victory because we never start.

But God, in His mercy, often begins small. He doesn’t require perfection—He honors faithful, repetitive obedience. He delights in “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10). Like a mustard seed, the kingdom of God in our lives often starts tiny and hidden yet grows into something strong and substantial (Matthew 13:31–32). God encourages us, “Don’t grow weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9), because He’s playing the long game: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

So be encouraged.

God is committed to your slow, steady transformation—one step at a time. Don’t let the size of the problem keep you from taking the next step. Set a timer. Take five minutes. Give that small act of obedience a week or two—or a month—and see what God does with it.

Because in the end, it’s not about how fast or how flashy our steps are—it’s about saying “yes” to God and joining Him in the work He’s already doing.

Psalm 37:23–24 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

What 5 minute routine can you establish this week?