From You ...

“But as for (A)you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From (B)you One will go forth for Me to be (C)ruler in Israel.

His goings forth are (D)from long ago,

From the days of eternity.”

3 

Therefore He will (E)give them up until the time

When she (F)who is in labor has borne a child.

Then the (G)remainder of His brethren

Will return to the sons of Israel.

4 

And He will arise and (H)shepherd His flock

In the strength of the Lord,

In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.

And they will remain,

Because at that time He will be great

To the ends of the earth.

Micah 5:2-4

Have you ever felt insignificant, as if you really didn't matter?  If so, consider Bethlehem.  At the time of Jesus' birth, that town was a "nobody".  The Message translation calls Bethlehem "the runt of the litter."  We all have a town like that in our home county; perhaps you live in it!  However, Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem in order to fulfill this prophecy.  And, there had to be a census held at that time by the Roman government, in order to get Mary and Joseph (who did not live there) to that "city of David" in time for Jesus to be born.

I'm from a tiny, little town in north GA.   Yet, my daddy, who did not have a college education became a leader on the national level, in his profession.  It's not an uncommon story: how someone from "Nowhere" was raised up by God to do marvelous things.

Some of you are shaking your heads.  "Not me, not anymore."  If that is you, then you have swallowed one of Satan's biggest lies.

No action, nor person, is insignificant to God.  Every word we speak, every decision we make, every action we take - - - they all have meaning.  WE have meaning and a purpose, each and every one of us. When you start to feel down, worthless, used up, worn out, finished....remember that.  God's purposes for each of us extend past this life, through all eternity.  He is not finished with us until we take our last breath here, and then He has plans for us in eternity with Him.

It is not up to us to judge how God chooses to work in our lives.  We do not have the right to judge whether what He chooses to do is "great" or "small". It is merely our responsibility make ourselves available, to obediently present ourselves.  Christmas is all about "presents", is it not?  Then, may this, our sacrificed will, our submission, our "letting go" - - - may this be our gift to Him this Christmas.

"From you", God said of Bethlehem, that little, old bitty town! Just like He made His glorious Name known in Bethlehem, God can still use you; He can still use me, if we will let Him.  Open your heart to Him this Advent season.  Allow Him to advance His kingdom by bringing forth glorious things "from you".

Gracious Father, thank you for not forcing Yourself on me, but instead giving me the opportunity to choose You.  I pray that those who read this - - - those who have already chosen You - - - will not buy the enemy's lie, namely, that they are insignificant or no longer matter.  And, for those who are not sure or even think this is all a farce - - - I pray that You will reveal Yourself to them in a mighty way, in a way that will let them know unmistakably that You are God, the One and Only, and that You.Love.Them!  In Jesus' name, amen.