Great Power Which Looks Small

When something seems insignificant, there are two possible explanations:

1. It actually is.
2. You have failed to recognize its significance.

When the brother of Jared approached God with a bold request—to touch sixteen clear stones, causing them to shine—he declared his believe in miracles using these words:

Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

Ether 3:5

It’s hard to think of these shining stones as a small thing. Perhaps, like manna, they would eventually seem ordinary after nearly a year at sea. (See Numbers 11:6.) Or perhaps he meant that God had already blessed them in countless ways, many of which had entirely escaped their notice.

Isaiah taught that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (See Isaiah 55:8-9.) So it stands to reason that we won’t always recognize and appreciate His influence in our lives. But we can try. President Henry B. Eyring has made it a practice to regularly ask in prayer, “What blessings do I have that I am not aware of?” (See “Elder Henry B. Eyring: Molded by ‘Defining Influences,’” Ensign, September 1995.) Surely the best way to identify unnoticed miracles is to ask for help from the Giver.

James E. Faust said, “To be able to perceive by inspiration the common and ordinary things of life in their true meaning is a special gift. Many people fail to perceive inspiration because God’s ‘great power … looks small unto the understanding of men'” (“Did You Get the Right Message?” General Conference, April 2004).

Today, I will ask God to help me recognize the miracles in my life. I will remember that great power may look small to me because of my imperfect perception, and I will strive to be more aware of the significance of apparently ordinary things.