Scriptural Basis:
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15

Anderson’s Applications:
How often we hear the rebuke, “Don’t major in the minors!” The one who says that to another normally means, “Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.” In other words we should not be offended, nor lose our self-control, friends, or family, over those things that are of minor consequence in the final analysis; those things that should never disrupt unity. Of course, the greater problem is our lack of proportion and wisdom in what things we find offensive and what things we seem to be willing to overlook. It is a healthy exercise in everyone’s life to periodically evaluate what “stirs your fire” and on the other hand what you are more willing to “shrug off.” But no matter how well you deal with this issue, it should never lead you to simply ignore “the little things” in your life as though they are unimportant in the grand scheme of your “becoming mature and complete” and “growing up into Christ, who is your head.”

I am very taken, as most are, by the utter beauty of vineyards, row upon row of neatly planted grape vines, covering hillsides, stretching for miles. The tranquility of the scene resonates in the spirit adding beauty to what our eye takes in. What you do not see from this perspective are the little foxes hidden under the vines doing their damage in little, unseen ways; gnawing on the vines where they attach to the root with devastating results. It is the accumulation of the “little things,” the “little sins” in our lives that take their toll on our hearts, day after day, and hold us back from experiencing a “peace that passes understanding,” and stunting our growth in Christ. Life in the home is often not the picture that the world sees of you or your family outside the home. In the seclusion of your life alone, away from the eye of any other, is your life different? Are our words, our facial expressions, our body-language in the mundane humdrum of life, any different than our life when we “rise to the occasion” before the world we wish to impress? No one needs to point out to us all the things we might consider “little” or “unimportant” which make up so much of life. The Holy Spirit does it for us. The law of God written on the heart is an inescapable “still small voice,” if we are willing and open to listen.

The sheer energy demands of life in the 21st Century (Who is not “busy?”) easily becomes an excuse to not tackle “the little foxes that ruin our vineyard.” How much of your prayer life even asks for your Master to “catch for us the foxes, the little ruinous foxes in our life?” And how much of our effort under grace is intent on seeing the foxes flee. If the little things, “taking every thought into captivity for Christ,” are dealt with, you will be amazed at how the “big” things, once so out of kilter, fall into place.

King Solomon asked above all else for wisdom. God granted his request and Solomon shared it in Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and some of the Psalms. Here is a wise word of advice to take to heart so that the blooms in your vineyard will break forth in fruit.

Encouragement:
“Father, give me wisdom to deal with the “little” things in my life. If they are “hidden,” open my eyes, humble my spirit, and put them to flight.”

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About the author

Stephen Leonard
Stephen W. Leonard is a retired military chaplain with over 34 years in the Army. He served in combat as an Infantry Officer before becoming a chaplain. He is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and has been the pastor of several churches. He is the founder of a national Youth Leadership Conference and has been the Director of National and International Chaplain ministries. He has degrees from Wheaton College in Illinois, Covenant Theological Seminary in Missouri, and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Stephen is the writer of the weekly devotional series, Strength for the Day. He has also written the booklet "How to Pray for Your Child" as a resource for parents. Stephen is married to Glenda Anderson Leonard, co-founder of the PAYH.

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