23 Jan Start small, aim big: lessons to build Your life
A few days ago, I spoke at the Stronger Together Conference—a virtual gathering filled with incredible stories of resilience, faith, and purpose. As I shared my journey, I couldn’t help but reflect on how everything I’ve done started from the simplest beginnings: a single step, a tiny spark, a heart stirred.
Growing up, I always felt ordinary. In school, I was just “one of the guys”—not in the spotlight, not in the shadows, just there. I had low self-esteem, unsure of my voice or place in the world. But I’ve come to realise that God has a way of taking the most ordinary inputs and turning them into something extraordinary.
That’s why I spoke about starting small and aiming big, drawing from the story of Nehemiah. If you’re unfamiliar with it, Nehemiah’s journey is incredible—one of brokenness, courage, and faithfulness. His story holds lessons that resonate with anyone trying to make a difference, no matter where they are in life.
Start where you are
Nehemiah’s story doesn’t begin with him holding a grand vision or leading a crowd of people. It begins with his heart breaking over Jerusalem’s ruined walls and vulnerable people. What struck me as I revisited this story is that the walls had been in ruins for 91 years. Everyone knew about the problem, but no one acted—until Nehemiah.
It’s a reminder that we all have things that break our hearts, things we can’t stop thinking about. Those feelings aren’t accidental. They’re often God’s way of nudging us toward the work He’s calling us to do.
The question is, what’s breaking your heart? What is the thing that stirs you but maybe doesn’t bother others? That might be the starting point of your journey.
Pray and prepare
One of the most remarkable parts of Nehemiah’s story is his patience. He didn’t rush into action. Instead, he spent four months praying, confessing sins, and seeking clarity from God. When the opportunity to speak to the king came, he was ready. He knew exactly what he needed, how long it would take, and the resources required.
This part of the story is crucial because it reminds us to trust the process. Too often, we want to skip the preparation and jump straight to the results. But the truth is, the time you spend praying, planning, and preparing is never wasted. It’s what equips you to succeed when your moment comes.
Share your vision
When Nehemiah finally shared his vision, something incredible happened. People rallied around him. Families, merchants, priests—even a perfume maker—stepped up to help rebuild the wall. They divided the work into smaller portions, each person taking responsibility for their part.
The beauty of this is that no one was jealous or competitive. Everyone focused on their task, contributing to the greater goal. It’s a picture of how powerful it can be when people come together around a shared vision.
This applies to our lives as well. Whether it’s starting a project, building a business, or pursuing a dream, don’t be afraid to share your vision. The right people will come alongside you, and their contributions will make the journey even more meaningful.
Serve with the right motivation
As inspiring as Nehemiah’s story is, it’s not without its challenges. Not everyone joined the work. Some people refused to help or criticized the effort. But Nehemiah kept going because he wasn’t doing it for human approval—he was doing it for God.
This is such an important lesson. If you’re working for applause or validation, you’ll burn out quickly. People won’t always notice your efforts. Some might even criticize or undermine them. But when you work for a higher purpose, you find strength and joy that sustains you through the hard times.
I’ve seen this in my own life. When I started On Mission, it wasn’t with a grand vision. It began with a heart stirred for young people discovering Jesus, not just on Sundays but every day. It started with a small website, writing a few articles. From there, I shared the vision with friends, and a handful came alongside me.
Now, 10 years later, we’ve grown into a community of over 12,000 people. It’s not massive, but it’s a testimony to what God can do with small beginnings. I’m reminded constantly that I’m just an ordinary person—but when God is involved, ordinary efforts produce extraordinary results.
Lay your brick
I ended my talk with a simple yet profound thought: What is in your hands right now? What small step can you take today?
Nehemiah’s wall wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t a masterpiece. But it stood as a testament to faithfulness, unity, and God’s provision. Each family, each person, laid their brick, carried their stone, and together they built something extraordinary.
I think back often to my younger self—the boy who struggled with reading, who was humiliated when told to sit down because the class laughed at him. Fast forward decades, and I found myself addressing the United Nations. If you’d told that boy what God would do with his life, he wouldn’t have believed you.
But that’s the beauty of starting small. When you’re faithful with the little you have, God grows it in ways you can’t imagine.
Your turn
As we step into this week, I want to encourage you to:
1. Identify what breaks your heart.
2. Pray and prepare for the work ahead.
3. Take the next small step, no matter how insignificant it seems.
4. Remember who you’re doing it for.
5. Trust that God will multiply your efforts.
Never despise small beginnings. Lay your brick, take your step, and watch what God can do.
With faith and encouragement,
M.T. Omoniyi
1. 5 Most Life-Changing Books You Just Have to Read
In this video, I speak about 5 must-read books in 2025 for holistic growth and development! If you would like to join my Underliners book club and read together this year with people all over the world, you can apply to join the book club here: