Some Great Thing

By David A. Edwards

Church Magazines

It turns out that the small and simple things are a pretty big deal.

Let’s say you have a health problem that won’t go away. Someone tells you about a man who can cure you. He lives far away, but you write to him and then make the journey so that you can see him and hear what he has to say.

When you arrive at his home, his assistant comes out and says that his boss says to go take a bath in a nearby river.

The assistant turns back, and you’re left feeling disappointed. You think, “I came all this way for that?”

Expectations

This is what happened to Naaman. He was a Syrian captain—a well-respected man with a lot of responsibility. But he had leprosy, a horrible skin disease.

Although he wasn’t an Israelite, he had heard about the prophet Elisha because of a young servant girl who was from Israel. Naaman believed her testimony about Elisha and the God of Israel. So he went to see Elisha. When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s home, Elisha sent a messenger, who told Naaman to wash in the river Jordan seven times to be healed.

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Naaman listening to servant

Illustrations by Corey Egbert

Naaman was angry. He had imagined that he would meet Elisha and that Elisha would put his hand on the spot with the diseased skin, call upon God, and heal it miraculously. He even thought that there were much better rivers back home that he could have washed in.

Naaman had built up expectations. He expected Elisha to come out and see him. This may have been because Naaman had such a high position and was used to receiving a certain amount of respect. He also expected a more miraculous or impressive solution to his problem than he was given. Maybe this was because of the stories he had heard about Elisha. So his experience left him feeling quite angry.

Humility

But Naaman’s story doesn’t end there. One of his servants offered him some very wise advice:

“If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:13).

Naaman realized that the servant was right. If the prophet had asked him to do something big, he would have done it. So why not do the simple thing? He humbled himself. He washed seven times in the river Jordan and was healed.

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Naaman washing in Jordan

Small and Simple Things

Occasionally the Lord may ask a person to do “some great thing.” But that’s not usually how the Lord works. Most of the time He uses “small and simple things” to bring about “great things” in our lives (Alma 37:6).

Sometimes our expectations or our pride may make us think that the Lord’s way is too simple or small to be worth our time (see 1 Nephi 17:40–41). But the Lord can help us overcome these feelings and humble ourselves. He loves us and wants to bless us and help us become more like Him (see Moses 1:39).

Here are just a few examples of small and simple things the Lord asks us to do to draw closer to Him and receive His blessings.

Pray and read scriptures daily (see 2 Nephi 32:3, 9).
When you’ve sinned, repent (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:31–32).
Attend church and partake of the sacrament weekly (see Moroni 6:5–6).
Pay tithing (see Malachi 3:8–10).
Follow the Word of Wisdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 89).
Be honest (see Doctrine and Covenants 51:9).
Be kind (see Ephesians 4:32).
Serve others (see Matthew 25:34–40).

You can probably think of more.

So, when you come across something small and simple, pay attention. It may be a guideline in the For the Strength of Youth booklet, some counsel in a conference talk, or something your bishop has asked you to do. Whatever it is, remember Naaman, and just do it. It may be small, but the blessings will be great.