Projects of any kind usually involve spending money and it's not a one time outlay. If it happens to be a building project then from day to day one makes a trip to the store for a brush or can of paint, a tool or materials of some sort. Theses day to day "small" expenditures don't seem like much or as many because they are small and take place over a long period of time. But at the end of the month, when the statement comes, it can be a shocker to see the long itemized list and the final tally. Actions are actions and little bit at a time or in big chunks they are cumulative.
Looking through an album of old photos can have the same affect. You look at the pictures of ten, twenty, thirty years ago and for some more, and it's like "When did that happen? I looked so different then than now."
Every day change was taking place but at such a slow pace that it wasn't noticeable while we were in it. Then one day, the life we lived in bits and pieces, flashes before us while perusing a photo album and we see we have undergone quite great changing be they in appearance, health, viewpoints, and/or circumstances. It's bits and pieces at a time but cumulative over time.
Doing things in bits a pieces in one mind set can be good. After all we don't teach our children all at once but to the extent they can understand at the time. The teaching and learning will continue and accumulate.
And consider the way God handled things as Israel entered the promised land, concerning their enemies.
"I will not drive them out from before you in one year, which would cause the land to become desolate and the wild animals too many for you. I will drive them out from before you gradually, until you have grown in number and can take possession of the land." Exodus 23:29-30 CJB.
There is a time and a right purpose for the bits and pieces approach.
But the principle of bits and pieces can be abused, become a mind game that allows for incorrect behavior or wrong doing. "Oh, I'll just have a small portion every once in a while." "I wouldn't normally do this, but just this once."
"This thought... I shouldn't."
But it returns. Let it linger just a bit, then cast it out. When it again returns let it continue to play out in little bits till the numerous pieces accumulate into a whole. Deceive the mind and conscience into thinking because it was just a bit and not the whole and "I was casting them out" it wasn't as bad. Maybe what was happening really, was an elaborate way to enjoy tasty morsels we shouldn't be.
In our walk wisdom dictates an ongoing tallying of the bits and pieces of our lives so that we progress productively on the one hand and avoid the accumulation of failings on the other.
Wisdom dictates that we use a proper set of instructions, the Word, know them and listen to the Spirit whose job it is to make them clear to us.
Wisdom dictates that we be disciplined when confronting decisions and not hang onto, allow to linger those thoughts or actions that would separate us from a right, approved walk with our Father, no matter how seemingly small or short they may be.
The Scriptures say "... For My yolk is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:30 CJB.
It doesn't always seem that way. We are growing. Instead of feeling defeated when it isn't easy or light, remember teacher Paul,
"I don't understand my own behavior--I don't don't do what I want to do; instead I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 CJB.
But then he gives the solution.
"...focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy." Philippians 4:8 CJB.
And that begins to make the burden easier and lighter.
Bits and pieces accumulate and changes take place, a change in the heart for good or for bad. The choice is ours.
Father, may Your Word be engraved on our hearts and minds and may Your Spirit be continually stirring within us showing us where we are at and what You would have us know and do. May He reveal and convict us of our true motives when they are wrong and confirm when they are right. May we have the wisdom to rely on You and be obedient and exercise discipline. May this be our joy. May You be glorified, Father.
In Yeshua's name we pray,
Amen.
May God's love be in us all.
Elder.