Introduction
By Paul Anderson
I have been trying to write a book about chess. I am not a good writer. It has been a lot harder than I thought. So, I have been trying to look at the areas where I have been better meeting goals, learn from them, and apply them to the book idea. I came up with the acronym C.H.E.S.S. Goals to describe key parts of achieving goals. I have done Bible Studies on the first four elements.
C ounselors
H abits
E quipment
S tatistics
S ?
So, what is the final element in the C.H.E.S.S. Goals?
Well, here is a clue: The Parthenon.
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| The Parthenon - Nashville, TN |
This is not the real Parthenon. This is a full-scale replica built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Actually, the original replica was built of plaster, wood, and brick. It was not intended to be permanent, but the cost of demolishing the structure and its popularity with residents kept it standing after the Exposition. In 1920, it was rebuilt on the same foundations but, this time, in concrete.
The Parthenon is regarded as the finest example of Greek architecture, despite the fact that it has virtually no straight lines or right angles. It stands on a platform of three massive steps that curve upward.
"Vitruvius, who was an architect of the Roman period, believed that refinements like the upward curvature of the steps were made to compensate for optical illusion. Vitruvius believed that a perfectly straight line carried over a long distance would appear to sag, and he suggested the upward curvature of the long steps of the Parthenon would counteract that optical illusion, making the line look straight."
- Jeffrey Hurwit, professor of art history at the University of Oregon
If one were to stand on the top step and look lengthwise along the building at someone else also standing at the other end, they would only see each other from the knees up. Another problem with the steps is their size. They are much too large for people to walk up comfortably. Therefore, the builders had to add smaller steps at each end for ease of access.
You see, if you have the goal of getting inside the structure, you are going to want to take the small steps. I tried to climb up the big steps, and it is a good thing there are only three of them because I had to push on my thighs just to make it to the same level I easily walked up to on the small steps.
So, I thought I would see what the Bible says about the last letter in the C.H.E.S.S. Goals, Small Steps.
Here are my top 12 verses on Small Steps:
Jesus On Small Steps
Matthew 25:21 King James Version
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mark 4:30-32 King James Version
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Luke 10:27 King James Version
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
John 6:9-11 King James Version
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
Small Steps In The New Testament
Acts 14:15-16 King James Version
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Galatians 5:9 King James Version
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
James 3:3-5 King James Version
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
1 Peter 2:21 King James Version
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Small Steps In The Old Testament
Deuteronomy 32:2 King James Version
2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Job 29:6 King James Version
6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
Proverbs 4:11-13 King James Version
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Isaiah 60:22 King James Version
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.
Conclusion Of The Whole Matter
Small Steps may be one idea in the C.H.E.S.S. Goals, but it is a two-word study in the Bible. So, I looked up both "Small" and "Steps." They both occur most often in the Old Testament. However, I stuck with my usual tradition of just picking 4 verses from the OT, 4 verses from the NT, and 4 verses from Jesus. This means I had to cut back on some of the OT verses I liked. For example, the Wisdom literature is ripe with Step references. It is most common in the Psalms with 10 occurrences. There were a couple of Proverbs I liked, but I wanted to spread the wealth to other parts of the OT. So, this proverb didn't make the top 12:
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 King James Version
You can get the same idea with the other verses, but I liked how pithy this one is. I used to think that God would allow you to choose the minor details of your life and implement His will in the major areas. However, this verse gives me a different impression. The way seems bigger than the steps, and you control the way while God controls the steps. I guess it makes sense when I think about the broad and narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14). You get to pick the way you go, but God will direct your steps to get you the best shot a picking the right way. I didn't know it was an expression and it makes me smile to think about it, but I guess God is out there buttering our steps. Having never walked on butter, I am just assuming that is a good thing.
The New Testament is a little more guarded about what Steps to choose. Paul reminds us that God was patient when the nations chose their own way, and Peter makes it clear whose steps we should follow.
As far as starting small goes, both the OT and NT are on the same page. God has a habit of starting with very little and making it grow. Noah's flood started with just a couple drops of rain. The nation of Israel started with one promise to Abraham. And the Church started with just 12 disciples. Of course, Paul is there to caution us about choosing the right Small Steps when he refers to a little leaven. The wrong steps over time will effect which the way you go.
97 Bible results for “small” from King James Version.
- Old Testament (79)
- New Testament (18)
38 Bible results for “steps” from King James Version.
- Old Testament (35)
- New Testament (3)
Scripture contributions for November 2022 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson
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